I-75 won't close at night this weekend

By BILL COATS, Times Staff Writer
Published January 12, 2008

NEW TAMPA - Contractors Friday suspended their closures of Interstate 75 at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard for this weekend, scheduling them to resume Monday night.

The interruption spells relief for night owls on both roads, because Bruce B. Downs traffic was frequently stalled as interstate travelers detoured across the boulevard. All interstate traffic was routed onto exit ramps, then across Bruce B. Downs to entrance ramps.

John McShaffrey, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation, said I-75 tended to back up as much as a mile each night after the interstate was closed at 9 p.m., causing delays of up to 15 minutes. But the backlogs shrank as the night progressed, he said.

"After 11 p.m. or so, it's running fairly smoothly," he said. "We're pretty pleased with that, given what we're doing there."

The closures will resume Monday night and continue through Thursday night. The interstate reopens each morning at 5 a.m.

Work crews are closing I-75 while they position girders for a flyover at the interchange.

When the new structure opens in spring of next year, southbound motorists on Bruce B. Downs will be able to exit to the right, curve over the interstate overpass and merge onto I-75 southbound.

Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 23:17:44]