New bridge, old driving habits

NEW TAMPA -- Dawn brought a different kind of rush hour to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard today.

The state's new flyover opened for the first time, giving commuters a single, seamless lane from southbound Bruce B. Downs to southbound Interstate 75. No more lining up at a left-turn light.

Motorists heading for I-75 south had to exit to the right near the Lee Roy Selmon's restaurant, instead of steering toward the left-turn lanes under the interstate. 

That was the plan, anyway. Times photographer Ken Helle, who was there to shoot these photos, saw numerous drivers cruising along in the left lane, then cutting over to the right at the very last minute so they'd be ahead of the line onto the flyover. Traffic tickets followed, he said; some of these drivers wove through multiple lanes of traffic, one cut off a cement truck. And don't blame it on confusion; there were signs up and down the road, instructing drivers in what to do. 

The Florida Department of Transportation comissioned the $42-million project. Later this year, northbound drivers on BBD get a new ramp onto I-75, curving under the flyover. Later this summer, the flyover users are to get a second lane on the new bridge. And by New Year's Eve, builder PCL Civil Constructors expects to have the whole deal finished, months ahead of schedule.

A word to those drivers who want to arrive ahead of schedule: RELAX!

Comments

[Florida Cracker]

The problem with Florida drivers, is they are not from Florida. As a fifth generation native of this great state, I can tell you the rude and/or bad drivers have relocated from the Northeast and obviously can not read, since the signs say slow traffic keep right.

[Jim]

You are right "Ray". It is really nice of them to fix the traffic problems of the Rich folks in New Tampa while the rest of you suffer in jams. The rich are actually PAYING for those improvements through the disproportionate taxes they pay. They deserve to be first. And since when has it becoome bad to be financially successful. I guess the pitiful Florida school system has been successful in brainwashing everyone into thinking the poor are somehow better people than the "rich". Get a life Ray!

[Scott]

I must have missed the memo, not everyone in New Tampa is RICH. I'm far from it. Where do I go to pick up my check to join the club?

[Tami]

I am cracking up with all the above comments amazing all the assumptions of people in New Tampa being rich, we are not all rich and that is why are butts are sitting in traffic going to work just like everyone else in the world.
"We are all in this together" maybe if there was a little more togetherness we would all be better off.

[Randy]

Well I work 4 10's with 3 day weekends and do a 6am to 4 pm shift at the hospital. I've gone upwards of 12 miles on BBD with my cruise control on and caught every light on the way to work without stopping. Not sure why I'm telling you this, it doesn't help, maybe I'm just gloating. Is that wrong? LOL

[OMG]

This rant is hilarious!!! Let's face it Florida drivers are very creative and love to think outside the box.

[Alex]

New Tampa is so much nicer and people there deserve it. Ray get some education and a better job and get out of the ghetto.

[Marlene]

Glad to see Jim and Ray have some company. Where I come from (Philly) we make fun of Jersey drivers. If I were rich I'd be living in Paris.

[Moe]

There are rich people in New Tampa??
When did they close South Tampa? haha

[Moe]

If I were rich, I'd let someone else drive :)