PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – If you’re planning to drive around Pinellas County during the first full week of 2026, you might want to double-check your route. State transportation officials have released the lane closure schedule for January 4 through January 10, and road crews are going to be busy on nearly every major artery, including I-275, US 19, and the Gandy corridor.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 warns that while many projects will take place overnight to minimize gridlock, several key stretches will see daylight construction that could slow down the morning and evening rush.
Interstate Delays and Ramp Flagging
Commuters on I-275 should prepare for slowing between 38th Avenue North and Roosevelt Boulevard. Crews are shutting down lanes overnight from Sunday, January 4, through Thursday, January 8. These closures run from 8:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning.
READ: Hillsborough County Traffic Alert: Roadwork Hits I-4, I-75, And Howard Frankland To Kick Off 2026
Drivers using the exits and entrances at 38th Avenue North, 54th Avenue North, and Gandy Boulevard need to stay alert during the day. From Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be periodic flagging operations. While brief, these stops can cause sudden backups on the ramps.
Downtown St. Pete isn’t exempt, either. I-175 will see night lane closures from 16th Street South to 4th Street South, running 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
US 19 and Alternatives
Work on US 19 is heavily focused on overnight hours next week. From Sunday through Thursday nights (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.), expect lane closures in two main zones: between SR 580 (Main Street) and SR 586 (Curlew Road), and further south from Drew Street to Sunset Point Road.
Those sticking to Alternate US 19 will face daytime delays. Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., lanes will be closed from Meres Boulevard to Tampa Road, as well as from East Curlew Place to St. Andrews Drive. Further south on Tyrone Boulevard (Alt US 19), work shifts to the night shift, with closures between 5th Ave N and 38th Ave N starting at 8 p.m. all week.
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The 24-Hour Work Zones
Perhaps the most significant disruptions involve long-term, around-the-clock closures that won’t clear up when the sun goes down.
- SR 60 (Gulf to Bay): Eastbound lane closures remain in effect 24 hours a day from South Bayshore Boulevard to Dr. Kiran C. Patel Boulevard. This pattern is expected to last through early 2026.
- SR 586 (Curlew Road): Outside eastbound lanes are closed 24/7 between McMullen Booth Road and Tampa Road. This is a long-term configuration lasting through late 2026. Additionally, the middle eastbound lanes in this stretch will see daytime closures next week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Other Major Local Routes
Drivers on Ulmerton Road, East Bay Drive, and Gandy Boulevard will also see orange cones during the workday.
- Ulmerton Road: Closures from 49th Street North to Egret Boulevard, Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- East Bay Drive: Closures from US 19 to Belcher Road, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Gandy Boulevard: Closures west of 94th Ave N to Derby Lane, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Main Street (SR 580): Closures east of Phillipe Parkway, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Motorists are urged to exercise caution in these work zones and anticipate extra travel time.
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