Page Twelve:  Pinellas Point Drive South (Exit 16)

On this page:

 

Introduction

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 16

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 16

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 16

 

Introduction

Constructed at about the same time the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was opened in 1987 the tenth and final segment of Interstate 275 through St. Petersburg was built.  The existing right of way for US 19 was used to build this segment requiring little right of way acquisition.  The two bridges over Frenchmans Creek - built in 1954 and 1971 back in early US 19 days - were rebuilt and an interchange was constructed at Pinellas Point Drive South.  Construction terminated at the northern toll booth entrance to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which was eventually relocated south of the first bridge.  With this final segment, Interstate 275 was brought through St. Petersburg and connected with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Maximo Park is reached from the Pinellas Point Drive South exit.  In addition, businesses and condominiums that line the highway from its early US 19 heydays are accessed from a side frontage road called Skyway Lane South.  It is on Skyway Lane South where northbound traffic on Interstate 275 wishing to use Exit 16 must exit onto and proceed north to Pinellas Point Drive South.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 16

	Advance signage for Pinellas Point Drive South and Skyway Lane The exit is coming up in 1/2 mile as Interstate 275 goes from six lane to four lane for the trip across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
	Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 before the toll! Proceeding past Exit 16 on Interstate 275 south will obligate you to pay the $1.00 toll for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge just after the first bridge going south.
	Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Exit 16 Continuing straight ahead on Interstate 275 will lead you to the toll plaza for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge two miles ahead. Notice the erroneous "Exit Only" sign when in fact there is no dedicated exit lane.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 16

	Advance signage for Pinellas Point Drive South and Skyway Lane coming up in one mile This is the first Interstate 275 exit in St. Petersburg for motorists coming from the Sunshine Skyway.
	Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Exit 16 The off ramp places you onto Skyway Lane South which takes you to Pinellas Point Drive South.

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 16

	Directional sign for Skyway Lane, Pinellas Point Drive South and Maximo Park Taken from the off ramp from Interstate 275 south. The overpass to the right is part of a ramp from Exit 17 at US 19/34 St S onto Interstate 275 south directly to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
	Looking west on Pinellas Point Dr S Actually, Pinellas Point Dr S ends here at Interstate 275; going straight ahead leads into Maximo Park. Notice the faded out signage for Interstate 275 and US 19 south to Bradenton and the toll bridge advisory.

Coverage of Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg as it crosses the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is covered in the bridges section of Interstate275Florida.com.  Click on this link to proceed south on Interstate 275 to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.