Page Three: Exit 42 (Armenia
Avenue and Howard Avenue)
On this page:
Introduction
Interstate 275
Northbound at Exit 42
Interstate 275
Southbound at Exit 42
Perspective of
Interstate 275 at Exit 42
Introduction
Continuing northbound on Interstate
275 we pass over the Exit 42 complex consisting of Armenia Avenue and
Howard Avenue which was constructed in 1963. Armenia Avenue is a one way street southbound while
Howard Avenue is a one way street northbound. When Interstate 275 was
originally built from Dale Mabry Highway northward it becomes a six
lane highway and once past the Exit 42 complex Interstate 275 widens
out further into an eight lane highway. When the highway was
originally built the overpasses were sets of two bridges, one crossing
Armenia and the other crossing Howard. During the
mid-1970’s the median on Interstate 275 was paved and a wall
barrier (called a Jersey Barrier) was constructed.
West Green Street and West Laurel
Street serve as collector and distributor ramps for southbound and
northbound Interstate 275 respectively. Unfortunately, Laurel
Street west of North Boulevard no longer exists due to the
Interstate 275 reconstruction project, only the exit and entrance
ramp to northbound Interstate 275 remains.
North of the Exit 42 complex
Interstate 275 goes from a flat to a roller coaster ride as the
highway crosses many side streets - Rome Avenue, Willow Avenue
and North Boulevard - until the Hillsborough River is
reached. This roller coaster effect has been fixed when
the northbound lanes of Interstate 275 were rebuilt as part of the major reconstruction
project to reconstruct Interstate 275 in stages; I imagine the
southbound lanes will get the similar treatment when reconstruction
begins (and along with a wide median for rail based mass transit,
which is desperately needed in the Tampa Bay area). The
Tampa Bay Interstates web site has more details on the Interstate
275 reconstruction effort.
Interstate 275 Northbound at
Exit 42
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Advance signage for Armenia and Howard Avenues
The interchange complex is just around the corner in 1/2 mile. |
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Armenia and Howard Avenues are coming up in 1/4 mile
Also listed on this mileage sign are distances to Downtown Tampa (1-1/2 miles) and Interstate 4 (2-1/2 miles), the next two exits after Exit 42. |
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Final opportunity for Armenia and Howard Avenues
Armenia Avenue carries southbound traffic while Howard Avenue carries northbound traffic. Expect this ramp to be replaced with a new ramp as part of the ongoing Interstate 275 reconstruction project shown to the right. |
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New advance signage for Howard and Armenia Avenues
Notice that this is only a temporary sign on a temporary transition roadway connecting the old with the new northbound Interstate 275 lanes. It's only 1/2 mile to Exit 42. |
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Armenia and Howard Avenues are just around the corner
Notice the new dedicated exit lane for Armenia and Howard Avenues plus distances to Downtown Tampa and Interstate 4. |
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Final opportunity for Armenia and Howard Avenues - the new version
Armenia Avenue carries southbound traffic while Howard Avenue carries northbound traffic as mentioned in a previous photo. This is the new ramp from northbound Interstate 275 featuring two lanes for exit on its own - a much better improvement compared to the old ramp where it was just one lane and you were deposited onto Laurel Street prior to reaching Armenia or Howard Avenues. |
Interstate 275 Southbound at
Exit 42
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Howard and Armenia Avenues are 1-1/2 miles ahead
Taken in Downtown Tampa as Interstate 275 transitions westward past Ashley Drive. |
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Closeup of the advance signage for Howard and Armenia Avenues
Notice the new sign gantry installed when work was completed on the Interstate 275/Interstate 4 interchange project. The sign to the right is for motorists entering Interstate 275 south from Interstate 4 that the right lane ends in 2000 feet. |
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Mileage sign for Howard/Armenia Avenues
Howard and Armenia Avenues are 3/4 mile ahead while Himes Avenue is 2 miles and Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) is 2-1/4 miles away. This sign has been taken down and relocated to the right side of southbound Interstate 275 at this location as part of the Interstate 275 reconstruction project. |
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One of the many electronic variable message signs installed
Located before you cross the Hillsborough River, this variable message sign gives you travel times to FL 60 west (Exit 39) and Gandy Blvd. (Exit 28) but it can be updated as traffic conditions require. |
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Howard and Armenia Avenues coming up in 1/2 mile
Notice the dedicated right exit only lane. |
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Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Howard and Armenia Avenues
Howard Avenue carries northbound traffic while Armenia Avenue carries southbound traffic. |
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Relocated Mileage Sign for Howard/Armenia Avenues
Howard and Armenia Avenues are 3/4 mile ahead while Himes Avenue is 2 miles and Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) is 2-1/4 miles away. This sign was relocated as a double post mount on the right side rather than a partial cantilever as the original sign had to be taken down as part of the Interstate 275 northbound lanes reconstruction project. |
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Northbound on Howard Avenue
This is how it looked before work began on the Interstate 275 reconstruction project. |
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Southbound on Armenia Avenue
Again, this is what it looked like before work began on the Interstate 275 reconstruction project. The overpasses on the foreground are scheduled to be demolished when new overpasses are built. |
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Northbound on Howard Avenue - October 2008
The new northbound lanes of Interstate 275 are directly above where I took this photo. |
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North Howard Avenue at West Green Street
West Green Street serves as the collector and distributor ramp for both Howard and Armenia Avenues from southbound Interstate 275. Notice the mast arm traffic signals! |
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Southbound on Armenia Avenue - October 2008
Where the present southbound lanes of Interstate 275 are now will be the location of the new Interstate 275 southbound lanes. Once the new northbound Interstate 275 lanes are done then southbound Interstate 275 traffic will be shifted to the old Interstate 275 northbound lanes so that work can be completed. |
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View of the new northbound Interstate 275 lanes under construction
This is seen from Howard Avenue looking north. |
