St. Pete’s I-175 cuts off the Campbell Park neighborhood of South St. Pete. And neighborhood residents complain that I-175 makes it difficult to get downtown. Highways were often built to segregate neighborhoods, a process called red-lining. I-175 fits that description. Begun in the late 1970s, completed in 1980, I-175 is a 1.3 mile-long spur route that connects I-275 to downtown, spilling traffic out at Tropicana Field, and walling off the South side.

According to 10 Tampa Bay, residents are calling I-175 an “emotional as well as physical divide.” It isn’t just residents of Campbell Park that are calling for change. A coalition of petitioners, called Reimagine I-175, argue that converting I-175 into a boulevard will increase access to downtown for South-side residents and provide more options for drivers get to their destinations.

If converted, a Boulevard would directly access the extant city grid. Some detractors are concerned that the conversion will increase traffic. However, citing a mobility study conducted by Forward Pinellas in 2022, Justin Cournoyer of Reimagine I-175 notes that the impact on suburban commuters will be minor. Commute times are predicted to increase by only 3 minutes. And the benefits may outweigh the commute time, according to members of the Coalition.

Converting I-175 may positively impact St. Pete

Positive changes, according to Reimagine I-175, would include increased accessibility to downtown, decreased highway traffic, increased business revenue, and new land for development projects.

Reimagine I-175 does not advocate for what to do with the land if I-175 were removed. But Justin Cournoyer says that he would support any project proposal that increases equity. Turning I-175 into a boulevard would purportedly unlock 25 acres, which could be used for affordable housing developments and additional parking.

The project itself would come at a high price. Whit Blanton with Forward Pinellas said in an interview with WFTS Tampa Bay that the project would likely “cost north of $20 million.” That money would come at the federal level. The organization is looking at multiple options for the future of I-175 that includes converting it to a Boulevard, transforming it into a bridge/viaduct that would open the area underneath for pedestrians/cyclists, or leaving it as is.

If St. Pete converts I-175 to a boulevard, it would be the first highway removal project in Florida. Re-imagine I-175 is hosting a free, informative talk, Brews for Boulevards, at 3 Daughters Brewing in the “Nook Room” this Wednesday, April 25. Seating is limited.

What to read next:

• 3-day Asian food festival arrives in St. Pete
• Little Philly opens in St. Pete
• Doakes N Doodle brings Bronx bagels to the ‘Burg
• SHINE Mural Festival celebrates 10 year anniversary
• St. Pete named one of the happiest cities in America
• New chic tea bar experience in St. Pete