State To Unveil Details Of Improvement Plans For Interstates 275 And 4

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Department of Transportation District 7 will host a public information open house for two projects along Interstate 275 in Tampa designed to ease congestion at the outdated interchange at I-275 and Interstate 4, facetiously nicknamed "Malfunction Junction."

The I-275 Capacity Improvement Project is currently in construction and extends along I-275 from north of Interstate 4 to north of Hillsborough Avenue.

The Downtown Tampa Interchange (I-275/I-4) Safety and Operational Improvement Project is anticipated to begin construction in 2023.

The open house will be held Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. f

The I-275 Capacity Improvements Project includes adding one lane in each direction on I-275 from north of I-4 to north of Hillsborough Avenue (U.S. 92).

Other improvements include constructing noise barrier walls along most of the corridor, installing Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) devices, and enhancing the underpasses at Floribraska Avenue, Lake Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Chelsea Street, Osborne Avenue and Hillsborough Avenue to provide wider sidewalks and upgraded underdeck lighting.

All improvements are being completed within the existing right of way.

The 2.5-mile project, which began in October, is expected to be completed in early 2026 at a cost of $85.3 million.

The Downtown Tampa Interchange Safety and Operational Improvements Project includes:

• Widening the southbound I-275 to eastbound I-4 flyover ramp to two lanes
• Modifying the exit ramp to Ybor City/East Tampa from 21st/22nd streets to 14th/15th streets
• Widening the westbound I-4 to northbound I-275 ramp from one to two lanes
• Widening the westbound I-4 to southbound I-275 exit from two to three lanes
• Providing trail connections to local networks and adjacent communities.

Construction is expected to begin in 2023. The cost designing the project is $2.9 million and the cost of acquiring right of way is $3.7 million.

The meeting will be held in person at the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., with an option to attend online.

FDOT staff will be available to answer questions in person and virtually via the online chat.

Display boards and exhibits showing the project improvements will be available in an open house format. An informational presentation will run continuously during the open house. FDOT staff will be on site and available to answer questions.

Complimentary on-site parking and designated handicap parking are available. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus routes 12 and 32 provide bus services to the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library.

To participate virtually, click here.

A narrated presentation will be shown at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. during the open house.

For more information about these projects, visit the websites listed below:

• I-275 Capacity Improvements
• 275 Downtown Tampa Interchange

See related stories:

• Project To Add Lanes To Interstate 275 To Get Underway This Month
• Floribraska, Hillsborough Avenue Ramps To Close For I-275 Project
• Residents Have Concerns About Proposed I-275 Improvements
• I-275 The Fix to Fix it Needs Another Fix