Page Eleven: 54 Av S and the Pinellas Bayway (FL 682) (Exit 17)

On this page:

 

Introduction

Interstate 275 at Exit 17 Trivia

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 17

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 17

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 17

 

Introduction

Constructed in 1983 the ninth segment of Interstate 275 takes the highway to 54 Av S and provides access to St. Pete Beach and Fort DeSoto Park via the Pinellas Bayway.  The southbound exit from and the northbound entrance to Interstate 275 at Exit 17 is accomplished via ramp connections at 54 Av S as well as a dedicated flyover ramp connecting the Pinellas Bayway directly.  On the other hand, southbound entrance to and northbound exit from Interstate 275 at Exit 17 is provided by a connection to 34 St S (also known as US 19) which provides access to 54 Av S, the Pinellas Bayway as well as 34 St S. The 34 St S connection was constructed as part of the next segment with Pinellas Point Drive South.  Eckerd College, a private 4-year college, is reached using the Pinellas Bayway exit.  Lakewood High School; home to a well respected technology program called the Center for Applied Technologies, is reached from 54 Av S.

Interstate 275 at Exit 17 Trivia

This section of Interstate 275 at Exit 17 is an unusual section where the northbound and southbound mainline travel lanes switch sides for a brief moment as you pass through the exit.  This gives the illusion that you are traveling on the left side of the highway like you would in the United Kingdom.  But this is the US of A and we Americans drive on the right side of the highway in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, you know.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 17

	Advance signage for the Pinellas Bayway coming up in 3/4 mile In addition to Bradenton being a control city for Interstate 275 south, we get our first announcement that the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is ahead.
	More advance signage for 54 Av S and the Pinellas Bayway Notice the dedicated right exit only lane.
	Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 south at Exit 17 Notice that the right lane drops from Interstate 275 south and serves both the Pinellas Bayway (FL 682) and 54 Av S.
	Closeup of the overheads for Exit 17 on Interstate 275 south Notice the overlay for St. Pete Beach on the sign to the right. It used to say St. Petersburg Beach but that was changed when voters of that beach city wanted to simplify the name to avoid confusion with mainland St. Petersburg.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 17

	Distances for South Beach Exits The distances shown are to their respective exits on Interstate 275 northbound: St. Pete Beach (Exit 17) 3/4 mile, Treasure Island (Exit 20) 3 1/2 miles and Madeira Beach (Exit 25) 7 1/2 miles
	Distances for North Beach Exits Again the distances shown are to their respective exits on Interstate 275 north: Redington Beaches (Exit 25) 7 1/2 miles and Indian Shores (Exit 28) 10 1/2 miles.
	Advance signage for Exit 17 (FL 682 and US 19 north) 1/2 mile Notice the left exit advisory flanking both sides of the 1/2 mile message.
	Exit 17 1/4 mile with Diagrammatic Overhead The right two lanes are for through traffic on northbound Interstate 275 while the left lane is the exit lane for Exit 17.
	Final opportunity for Exit 17 on Interstate 275 north From here you can reach FL 682 to head west to Ft. DeSoto Park or St. Pete Beach via the Pinellas Bayway, US 19 north via 34 St S or east via 54 Av S. Tampa is also signed as a control city for Interstate 275 north from here.

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 17

 

	Advance signage for Interstate 275 from eastbound FL 682 Remain in the two right lanes if you want to go north on Interstate 275 to downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa or remain in the left lane if you want to go south on Interstate 275 to the Sunshine Skyway and Bradenton, US 19 north via 34 St S or further east via 54 Av S (the FL 682 designation ends at US 19)
	Final opportunity for Interstate 275 north from FL 682 Traffic headed on Interstate 275 north uses the flyover ramp ahead while traffic headed on Interstate 275 south proceeds to the intersection with US 19 (34 St S) and making a right turn. But if you miss this ramp and you need to go north on Interstate 275, you can still do so from 54 Av S right after you cross US 19.
	Directional signage to US 19 north as well as the Pinellas Bayway (FL 682) and St. Pete Beach This was taken from the exit ramp from northbound Interstate 275.