New I-75 Ramps to Open This Week in Manatee County

Two newly constructed ramps crossing the Manatee River will open to motorists this week as part of an ongoing project to modernize the Interstate 75 and U.S. 301 interchange.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled the staggered openings for Thursday and Friday mornings. The effort is part of a larger project aimed at reconfiguring the interchange into a tight diamond formation and replacing the existing ramps. The project is expected to be completed later this year.

The new southbound I-75 on-ramp will open at 6 a.m. on Thursday. To access the ramp, drivers traveling south on U.S. 301 will turn left at a newly installed traffic signal under the I-75 overpass. This change will permanently close the old loop ramp to southbound I-75.

On Friday at 6 a.m., the new northbound I-75 off-ramp will open. This new exit is approximately one mile south of the previous ramp, allowing drivers to access U.S. 301 from northbound I-75 more efficiently.

The overall interchange project involves expanding sections of I-75 from State Road 64 to U.S. 301, increasing capacity to eight lanes, and converting the existing layout into a tight diamond configuration to improve traffic flow and safety.

Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution while traveling through the area and adhere to new signage and road markings. For more details and updates, visit www.swflroads.com/project/201032-5.