Good news this morning for drivers in New Tampa… the Bruce B. Downs flyover is expected to partially reopen this week. 

FDOT officials say one lane on the southbound Bruce B. Downs bridge to southbound Interstate 75 will open by 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.  In addition, the green traffic signals on Bruce B. Downs will be increased. 

Meanwhile, when this new connection onto southbound I-75 opens, the current double left turn lanes to southbound I-75 at the traffic signal will close permanently.  An FDOT spokesperson notes all southbound Bruce B. Downs traffic entering southbound I-75 will then be forced to exit to the right just south of Dona Michelle Drive. 

Drivers are urged to use additional caution as they become familiar with the changed entrance ramp conditions. 

A second lane will be opened on the bridge in the coming months. 

FDOT officials say this $42 million project is running ahead of schedule.  The project was originally planned for completion in the Spring of 2009.

Additional project information is available at http://www.myTBI.com ; look for “Interstate 75 at County Road 581 (Bruce. B. Downs Blvd.)” after clicking on the I-75 shield on the home page.