Big Ramp Closure This Weekend in Tampa

Drivers will be impacted this weekend by a big ramp closure so work can get done on a concrete bridge. If you're driving from St. Pete or Tampa up to Thonotosassa, Wesley Chapel or points north, you'll want to plan your drive accordingly. Signs and electronic message boards are up to warn you, but here's what to expect.

Last night at 10pm, the eastbound I-4 ramp to northbound I-75 closed for the weekend. Crews are doing some maintenance work on the concrete bridge.

As long as all goes to plan, the ramp will reopen Monday morning by 4AM. Weather could play a factor in the timing of the reopening.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol's website, drivers will be detoured this way: Motorists will detour around the work zone by staying right at the fork towards southbound I-75, exiting the interstate using (Exit 260), continuing east onto SR 574 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard), and re-entering the interstate using the northbound I-75 entrance ramp.

This PDF can help you navigate around the closure. Here are some other road work to be aware of coming up this week:

I-75 interchange at I-4 (Exit 261)
Lane closures (southbound): Sunday, August 20 through Thursday, August 24 nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

I-75 interchange at US 301 (Exit 254)
Lane closures (northbound and southbound): Sunday, August 20 through Thursday, August 24 nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

It's never been a secret that Florida is a great place to live. The U-Haul trucks are almost always heading south when you're on I-95 in the northeast. Our beaches, sports teams, (formerly) lower cost of living, and outdoor recreation choices are second to none. So it should be no surprise that no less than 14 cities made the newest U.S. News & World Report list of the best 150 places to live in the U.S. for 2023-2024.

Tampa did NOT top the list. But only 4 Florida cities beat us. And with the number of incoming residents every week, maybe that's a good thing. U.S. News came up with these rankings based on things like quality of life and value. That second one is tricky these days as real estate prices have soared in the past decade. Add to that skyrocketing home insurance rates, value is definitely a relative term.

Sure they may be home to South Beach and the Miami Heat and scored a 6.2 for quality of life. But our largest city in the state scored the lowest for value with a 3.6.

With 38 lakes and an infusion of "Old Florida history and natural beauty," making this list is no shock to Polk County residents have seen a huge uptick in traffic and population.

White sand beaches and countless outdoor activities have made this spot a favorite among retirees.

The "Horse Capital of the World" landed at #67 nationwide. U.S. News loved Ocala's rolling hills and green pastures. Ocala scored highest on this list in terms of value with a 7.2.

With a relaxed atmosphere compared to the cities it rests between (Orlando and Miami), Port St. Lucie made the list with scenic waterways and lush green golf courses along with more affordable homes (relatively speaking).

Tally is the only other city besides Tampa on this list where I've lived. I only lasted a year... it was too remote for me.  And when FSU students and the government workers were out of town, it felt like a ghost town.  But you can't be the vibe on a Seminoles game day. U.S. News also liked the city's southern heritage influences in its architecture and landscape.

Lots to do when Disney, Universal, Sea World are all in your backyard. But that traffic!

Great fishing spots and proximity to Daytona International Speedway were the selling points writers loved.

Beautiful sunsets and emerald green waters helped the area land at #28 nationally.

U.S. News loved our laid back beach lifestyle and our big city amenities like our successful sports teams, museums, and social scene.

Nature trails for hiking and marshes to kayak along with a new art and music scene helped land Jacksonville in the #16 spot overall in the U.S.

Their Eau Gallie Arts District scored points as well as their historic downtown area's museums and galleries.

Certainly not the most affordable area on this list, U.S. News loved the beaches, golf courses, dining and shopping choices. Naples scored the highest among these Florida cities for quality of life with a 7.1.

They loved Sarasota's art scene, beaches and restaurants.  Sarasota came in #5 nationally behind Green Bay, Huntsville, Raleigh, and Boulder.  U.S. News researchers loved the opera house, rooftop bars and Siesta Key.