TAMPA, Fla. — If your Wednesday night plans involve driving through downtown Tampa, you might want to check your route before heading out.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced a full closure of all westbound lanes on I-4 through the busy Downtown Tampa Interchange where it meets I-275. The shutdown begins at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, and is expected to last until 5 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, weather permitting.
Crews need the interstate to be clear of traffic to install massive overhead sign structures, a key piece of the ongoing Downtown Tampa Interchange Safety and Operational Improvements project.
READ: Tampa Traffic Alert: North Nebraska Avenue Lane Closed As Crews Tackle Water Main Repairs
Navigating the Detour
Because this is a total closure of the westbound lanes, drivers won’t be able to slip through the usual mainline. Instead, everyone heading west on I-4 will be detoured onto the Selmon Connector. From there, traffic will flow onto the Selmon Expressway (SR 618) to Exit 8 (Downtown East-West), dumping out onto Kennedy Boulevard.
Once you are on Kennedy Boulevard, the path splits depending on your final destination:
- To get to I-275 South: Stay on Kennedy, turn right onto Ashley Drive, and look for the southbound entrance ramp.
- To get to I-275 North: From Kennedy, turn right onto Jefferson Street, head north onto Orange Avenue, and hop onto the northbound entrance ramp.
READ: ‘Scar You For Life’: Polk County Sheriff Judd Baffled By Armed Suspect In Red Lace Bra, G-String
Tolls Suspended
To keep traffic moving and avoid penalizing drivers for the forced detour, officials are temporarily suspending tolls on the westbound Selmon Expressway. The free ride applies only between the Selmon Connector and Exit 8 during the hours of the closure.
Electronic message boards are already in place to guide motorists through the confusing shifts. As always with overnight construction, drivers are urged to slow down and keep a sharp eye out for workers on the road.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
