Southbound I-275 exit to 38th Avenue N in St. Petersburg closes until about mid-December

AI-generated illustration. Illustration of a ramp closure with orange-and-white barricades, construction drums and roadside drainage work. Inspired by the story and Pinellas County.

Drivers heading south on I-275 through St. Petersburg can no longer exit directly at 38th Avenue N. The Florida Department of Transportation closed the Exit 25 ramp early Monday, Oct. 5, for what it calls an extended period.

FDOT says crews will widen the ramp and handle drainage, lighting and other work over roughly two months. The agency estimates the ramp will reopen in mid-December, weather permitting.

How to get to 38th Avenue N now

The signed detour keeps you on southbound I-275 past the closed exit to Exit 24, 22nd Avenue N. At the bottom of that ramp, turn right and head west on 22nd Avenue N, then turn right onto US 19 (34th Street N) and drive north to 38th Avenue N.

Tampa Free Press, reporting on the closure, advised commuters who use the corridor in morning and evening rush hours to plan for extra travel time while the ramp is closed.

Other work nearby this week

The ramp is not the only restriction around the interstate. FDOT's weekly closure list shows the right lane closed in each direction on 62nd Avenue N approaching and under the I-275 overpass, around the clock through approximately December 2026. Eastbound 62nd Avenue N at the overpass also has night lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Thursday, Oct. 8.

FDOT also lists lane closures on 4th Street N between Gandy Boulevard and I-275 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 9. On the interstate itself, the work zone speed limit from 38th Avenue N to 4th Street N is 55 mph.

Part of a larger I-275 rebuild

The ramp work belongs to FDOT's $340 million I-275 widening project, which will add two tolled express lanes in each direction from north of 38th Avenue N to south of Gandy Boulevard. The project also changes the interchanges at 38th Avenue N, 54th Avenue N, Gandy Boulevard and Roosevelt Boulevard. FDOT estimates the full project will be finished in late 2030.

Drivers who want notice of future ramp and lane closures on this stretch can sign up for email alerts on FDOT's project page for the I-275 widening.