News Summary
Heavy rains have caused multiple traffic accidents on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, leading to severe delays and hazardous driving conditions. Several lane blockages in both directions resulted in significant traffic congestion across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. One key incident occurred at Ulmerton Road, blocking three left lanes, while other crashes continued to disrupt traffic flow throughout the morning. Authorities are advising motorists to stay updated on conditions and drive cautiously.
St. Petersburg, FL – Multiple traffic accidents on Interstate 275 caused substantial delays and hazardous driving conditions during heavy rain in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties on Thursday morning. The crashes resulted in lane blockages in both directions, contributing to significant traffic congestion across the region.
One of the first incidents of the day occurred around 6:12 a.m., when a crash on I-275 South at Ulmerton Road blocked three left lanes, severely obstructing traffic flow for several hours before the lanes reopened. Another noteworthy accident took place just before 7 a.m. on I-275 South at the ramp to eastbound I-175, which also led to a right lane blockage.
In addition to these accidents, a crash reported on I-275 North shortly before 6 a.m. impacted a right lane, but it was cleared before it could significantly affect the morning commute. At approximately 5:30 a.m., another incident occurred on the I-275 Express at 4th Street, where a southbound crash temporarily shut down the on-ramp before the Howard Frankland Bridge.
Adding to the traffic woes, a broken-down vehicle lost a tire and blocked the right lane of the on-ramp on I-275 North beyond I-4 shortly before 7:30 a.m. Around the same time, a significant accident on I-275 North before I-4 in Hillsborough County blocked three right lanes, causing extensive backups that affected drivers heading in that direction.
The series of crashes did not stop there; just before 7:15 a.m., a flipped car was involved in an accident on I-275 North at I-75 in Manatee County, though all lanes have since reopened after the incident. As a result of these multiple events and ongoing inclement weather, traffic has been extremely slow, with authorities urging motorists to exercise patience and drive cautiously.
As heavy rain continued to fall throughout the morning, traffic flows were consistently disrupted, and commuters faced further delays. Authorities have recommended that drivers use digital traffic maps, including Waze, to stay updated on the ever-changing traffic conditions and find alternative routes where necessary.
This morning’s string of accidents highlights the dangers posed by heavy rain and roadway conditions, particularly on busy highways such as I-275, which sees significant daily traffic. As rainy conditions persist in the region, the Florida Department of Transportation urges all drivers to remain vigilant, obey posted speed limits, and prepare for potential delays due to weather-related incidents.
This series of crashes serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather effects on traffic patterns. Commuters in the St. Petersburg area are advised to stay informed about current traffic situations to avoid unnecessary travel disruptions.
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Additional Resources
- WTSP: Traffic Crash on I-275
- Fox 13: Deadly Crash on Howard Frankland Bridge
- IONTB: Fatal Traffic Crash in St. Petersburg
- St. Pete Catalyst: Outdated Traffic Signals
- Fox 13: Suspect Crashes After Fleeing Traffic Stop
- Wikipedia: Traffic
- Google Search: Traffic Accidents I-275
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
- Google News: Traffic Accidents
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
