Page Nine: The northern terminus of Interstate 275 at the
Hillsborough/Pasco county line, Interstate 75's Exit 274
On this page:
Introduction
An Idea for Livingston Avenue and
Interstate 275
Interstate 275 Northbound at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
Interstate 275 Southbound at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
Perspective of Interstate 275 at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
Introduction
The northernmost segment of
Interstate 275 from Bearss Avenue northward to today's junction with
Interstate 75 was
constructed in 1964 as a part of the original Interstate 75. It
retains its six lane configuration for a short distance past Bearss
Avenue until the
highway crosses Nebraska Avenue (US 41) where the highway becomes
four lanes until the junction with Interstate 75.
This segment features two different
overcrossings. One of these overcrossings is at Nebraska Avenue (US
41) where it goes over both US 41 and a CSX Railroad track; the
overcrossing is high just like the overcrossing at Busch Blvd (Exit
50). The other overcrossing takes Livingston Avenue over
Interstate 275; Livingston Avenue is an increasingly heavily
traveled road with no access to Interstate 275. Beyond
Livingston Avenue, Interstate 275 makes its final trajectory
northward towards Interstate 75.
The Interstate 275/75 interchange (commonly referred to
as "the apex") at the Hillsborough/Pasco county line was constructed
around 1982 when Interstate 75 was extended further southward towards
Naples and over the Alligator Alley to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. On
the way north Interstate 275 goes under Livingston Avenue (no access);
if you are driving south on Interstate 275 this is where the speed
limit drops from 70 mph to 65 mph for a brief segment (the speed limit
further drops to 55 mph just before you approach
Bearss Avenue).
The speed limit on northbound
Interstate 275 increases from 65 mph to 70 mph right after you cross
US 41. However, on southbound Interstate 275 the speed limit
decreases from 70 mph to 65 mph just as you go under Livingston
Avenue; there are further reductions to 55 mph as you get into
Tampa. You may want to watch your speed especially on
southbound Interstate 275 due to periodic Florida Highway Patrol
presence.
An Idea for Livingston Avenue
and Interstate 275
As Livingston Avenue is a heavily
traveled roadway and there are a considerable number of
neighborhoods within that area I have an idea for better access to
Interstate 275 (and relieve some congestion on Bearss Avenue):
Convert Livingston Avenue from a crossover to a full fledged
interchange.
But having a full service
interchange on Interstate 275 at Livingston Avenue may be a
challenge.
First, the existing Bearss Avenue
interchange (Exit 53) is only 3/4 of a mile south of Livingston
Avenue. This would create a close spacing issue as the two
interchanges would be close together. However, you also got a
high overcrossing at Nebraska Avenue (US 41) and the CSX Railroad
tracks, so an interchange configuration similar to the one at Busch
Boulevard (Exit 50) would have to be built.
Second, there is a proposed toll
road that would go through the New Tampa community which would
connect Interstate 275 with Interstate 75. However, this toll
road has been placed on hold and, in my opinion, it is not needed.
Besides, Interstate 275 at Interstate 75 (Exit 274) can be upgraded
and New Tampa residents who want to use Interstate 275 south can do
so at an upgraded interchange rather than another new road.
Third, the Federal Government would
be involved. You cannot simply build an interchange where you
want one. Any new interchange or any modification to an
existing interchange requires the approval of the United States
Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),
after the Florida DOT completes the mandatory Interchange
Justification Report for a new interchange or an Interchange
Modification Report for an existing interchange. After all,
Interstate 275 as well as every other interstate highway in the
United States was built with federal money; therefore, you have to
play by the FHWA's rules.
Interstate 275 Northbound at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
(And northbound Interstate 275
north of Exit 53 (Bearss Avenue))
 |
Crossing US 41 and the CSX Railroad tracks
This is north of Bearss Avenue on Interstate 275. Notice that the speed limit changes to 70 mph which will be the speed limit on Interstate 75 all the way to the Georgia border and beyond; the next indication of a speed limit reduction is in Macon just as you pass the exit for Interstate 475. |
 |
Distance to FL 54, Ocala and Gainesville
All three destinations are on Interstate 75 north. We'll see Gainesville as an intermittent control city later on Interstate 75. But two things puzzle me: Why is FL 54 rather than FL 56 (the closest exit) signed and since when did Gainesville get signed as a control city? I thought the control city was Ocala. After all, Ocala is 80 miles ahead and Gainesville is 117 miles away on Interstate 75 north.
|
 |
Livingston Avenue overcrossing
This overpass was constructed in 1964 as part of the original Interstate 75. However, Livingston Avenue is heavily traveled on a daily basis and I think this is a great candidate for a major upgrade from an overcrossing to a full interchange. |
 |
Reassurance marker for Interstate 275 north
Just to let you know that you are still on northbound Interstate 275. But that won't be for long, as Interstate 75 north will be joining us shortly. |
 |
Interstate 275 approaching Interstate 75
This is looking north as we get ready to cross over and eventually join Interstate 75 north. This overpass was built in 1982 when Interstate 75 was brought further south towards Naples and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami via the Alligator Alley. |
 |
Crossing Interstate 75 on Interstate 275 north
As mentioned earlier, this overpass was built in 1982 when Interstate 75 was brought further south towards Naples and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami via the Alligator Alley. The northern end of Interstate 275 is just around the corner. |
 |
County Line Road overcrossing
This is looking north on Interstate 275 as we get ready to hand things over to Interstate 75 north and leave Interstate 275 behind. County Line Road marks the border between Hillsborough and Pasco Counties; beyond County Line Road is Pasco County soil. The overcrossing was built in 1982 along with the southward expansion of Interstate 75. |
 |
Now ending Interstate 275 north
This is it - we bid adieu to Interstate 275 in Florida and join Interstate 75 north. The next incarnation of Interstate 275 won't be until Knoxville, TN - that's a long ways away from here. |
 |
Now ending Interstate 275 north II
This is seen from Interstate 75 north.
|
Interstate 275 Southbound at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
(And southbound Interstate 275
towards Exit 53 (Bearss Avenue))
 |
Advance signage for Interstate 275 on Interstate 75 south
I believe this was placed there for a good reason: First, to let motorists know that Interstate 275 is the next exit after FL 56; second, the exit number for FL 56 - Exit 275 - is a confusion breeder. Perhaps the Florida DOT should consider numbering FL 56 at Interstate 75 as Exit 276 and Interstate 275 as Exit 275; that would help eliminate confusion here. |
 |
First advance overhead signage for Interstate 275
Notice the airplane symbol to the right of the word "Tampa"; this means that those headed to Tampa International Airport should use Interstate 275 south. |
 |
Headed to the Port of Tampa?
You will want to use Interstate 75 south to the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway exit (Exit 256), then west on the Crosstown (use the local lanes) to the 22nd Street exit. I believe the Florida DOT put this sign up to discourage trucks headed to the Port of Tampa from using Interstate 275. |
 |
Second advance overhead signage for Interstate 275 south
Be in the right or right-center lane in order to enter Interstate 275 south. |
 |
Interstate 275 south begins here
In the right lanes, that is. This is overhead signage for Interstate 275 south to Tampa, Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg. Also notice the next control city for Interstate 75 south being Naples. |
 |
County Line Road overcrossing
This is County Line Road as is crosses both Interstate 75 and Interstate 275. County Line Road forms the border between Hillsborough and Pasco Counties; just beyond the overcrossing is Hillsborough County soil. |
 |
First distance sign on Interstate 275 south
Interstate 275's first exit southbound, Bearss Avenue (Exit 53), is 6 miles ahead. Tampa (Downtown Tampa) is 15 miles ahead and St. Petersburg is 34 miles away. But if you're headed to St. Petersburg, you got to go through Tampa and cross the Howard Frankland Bridge first! |
 |
Livingston Avenue overcrossing
This is southbound on Interstate 275 just before we cross US 41 and our first exit southbound, Bearss Avenue (Exit 53). This overcrossing was built in 1964 as part of the original Interstate 75; with Livingston Avenue heavily traveled it is a great candidate for an upgrade to a full interchange. |
Perspective of Interstate 275 at
Interstate 75's Exit 274
 |
Northbound Interstate 275 crossing Interstate 75
This is looking north on Interstate 75. If you want to go to southbound Interstate 275 from here, you will have to turn around at FL 56 (Exit 275), the next exit. |
 |
County Line Road overcrossing
This is also looking north on Interstate 75. This is also the approximate location of the original Interstate 75 lanes when it was built in 1964; when Interstate 75 was extended in 1982 the original lanes were shifted over to the overpass (described in the last photograph) which is the case today being Interstate 275. |
 |
Northbound Interstate 275 crossing Interstate 75
This is looking south on Interstate 75. If you miss Interstate 275 south by mistake, drive on to the next exit which will be Bruce B Downs Blvd (Exit 270). Head south on Bruce B Downs to Bearss Avenue and then head west on Bearss Avenue; cross the CSX Railroad tracks and US 41 (Nebraska Avenue) and Interstate 275 will be in front of you. Enter Interstate 275 at Bearss Avenue and things should be a snap. |
 |
Interstate 275 crossing US 41 and the CSX Railroad tracks
This is looking north on US
41. You can see the CSX Railroad tracks to the right. Notice
how high the overpass is compared to Busch Blvd (Exit 50) |
 |
Interstate 275 crossing US 41
This is looking south on US 41 (Nebraska Avenue). There is no direct access to Interstate 275 from here; you must enter Interstate 275 at Bearss Avenue. |
