The newly opened southbound lanes of Interstate 275 in Tampa are getting a rush hour test this morning.
Crews closed the southbound lanes late Friday night so they could shift traffic to the new alignment pattern. That changeover was finished early Saturday morning.
The weekend traffic moved smoothly enough, but the real test comes today.
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Drivers are using three of four new lanes on southbound I-275 from the Hillsborough River near the downtown/Ashley Drive exit to west of West Shore Boulevard.
All exit and entrance ramps are back on the right side of the highway, so drivers are entering and exiting the highway from the right lane.
"This is all new pavement (with) new exits," said Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson John McShaffrey. "All the exits will be on the right. All the entrance ramps enter into the right lane. No more left exits or left entrance ramps. It'll be a nice smooth ride for people."
In addition, three new exits are in close succession: Exit 41B for Himes Avenue, Exit 41A for Dale Mabry Highway and Exit 40B for Lois Avenue.
Crews have also reopened the southbound I-275 exit ramp to Westshore Boulevard.