Tampa, FL -- The Florida Department of Transportation switched northbound Memorial Highway/westbound SR-60 near Tampa International Airport to a new traffic alignment Wednesday morning. The change affects traffic from west of the airport to the Veterans Expressway.
Here are key points FDOT wants drivers to be aware of:
Traffic coming from Kennedy Boulevard or I-275 on northbound Memorial Highway/westbound SR-60 will exit to the right using a new two-lane exit ramp to go onto the Courtney Campbell Parkway/Causeway toward Rocky Point and Clearwater. The new right-hand exit ramp replaces the existing triple left turn lanes onto the Courtney Campbell.
Traffic going to Independence Parkway, Memorial Highway or Hillsborough Avenue will exit to the right just north of the Courtney Campbell Parkway. After the combined exit to Independence/Memorial/Hillsborough, drivers will be on the Veterans Expressway and will have to pay tolls.
Traffic traveling from Spruce Street and Tampa International Airport will continue to exit to the left using an existing one-lane exit ramp for up to two weeks. Traffic will later be switched to the new alignment and will use the new right-hand exit ramp to the Courtney Campbell/Clearwater.
For up to two weeks, Spruce Street and airport traffic will not be able to exit to Independence Parkway but will instead continue north to the Memorial Highway exit.
FDOT says the $214 million Tampa International Airport Interchanges project, which began in August, 2005, is ahead of schedule and could be completed by January, 2010. The project is designed to separate traffic to SR-60, the Veterans Expressway and Tampa International Airport, reduce congestion on the interstate ramps and improve access to the airport.
To see a map of the changes,
click here.
For complete information from the FDOT,
click here.
