TAMPA -- Westbound traffic on State Road 60 was put into a new traffic pattern about 5 a.m. this morning (Thursday, June 26). This new alignment put traffic onto the new elevated section that bridges over Bayport Drive. Through-traffic on westbound State Road 60 no longer uses the signalized intersection at State Road 60 and Bayport Drive.

Westbound State Road 60 motorists going to Bayport Drive (Hyatt/Bayport properties) now exit to the RIGHT after crossing the bridge over Bayport Drive (instead of a left turn at the traffic signal).

During this stage of construction, traffic using the frontage ramps going to and from Bayport Drive and westbound State Road 60 will still use the signalized intersection crossing eastbound State Road 60.

Motorists should remain very alert through this area on both eastbound and westbound State Road 60 as drivers adjust to the changed conditions.

Thanks to the Department of Transportation for always keeping us updated!

Today, on I-75, two lanes northbound and two lanes southbound REMAIN open to traffic on the existing northbound interstate bridge. Southbound interstate traffic is transitioned through the median using two crossovers, one north of U.S. 301 and one south of the river. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. On U.S. 301, one northbound lane and one southbound lane REMAINS open.

DRIVERS ARE REMINDED to use caution in the area and to add extra travel time to their trips.

Construction crews began pouring the concrete for the bridge deck (riding surface) last night and completed the process this morning. The northbound lane and southbound lane of U.S. 301 were opened before 6 a.m. this morning.

-Before southbound traffic can travel on I-75 the bridge's side barrier walls will need to be placed and the concrete for both the deck and walls needs time to dry and gain adequate strength. Crews will also repair the northbound bridge columns that received minor damage from the crash, begin removing the wood forms that surround the concrete, and continue removal of contaminated materials. Next, the roadway will be marked with striping.

I spent Sunday morning checking out the situation on I-75 at US 301 in Manatee County. Cranes have already knocked down most of the damaged bridge and construction crews were working vigorously on the crossover lanes. And there hard work has paid off!!

The Crossover Lanes are OPEN!!

Basically, I-75 north and southbound traffic will have to merge from 3 to 2 lanes approaching US 301..then I-75 southbound traffic will cross over the median, onto the northbound (good) side and continue across the bridge. A temporary barrier is up to seperate traffic. Once southbound traffic crosses the bridge..drivers will mere back onto the southbound side.

Keep in mind:

The speed limit is reduced from 70 mph to 45 mph in the area

Speeding fines are doubled in the work zone

Highway Patrol Troopers and other law enforcement will be controlling traffic

BE PATIENT and Good Luck!!

Interstate 75 Southbound CLOSED at US 301

If you drive I-75 in Sarasota, it's time to find another way to go. Wednesday afternoon, a fiery wreck on I-75 and US 301 caused structural damage to the roadway . It's a problem that the Department of Transportation says may take weeks to fix. We saw the impact of the road closure this morning as US 41 was packed with cars as far as our eyes could see. Here's a few ways you can avoid I-75...

I-275 from St. Petersburg:  Take I-275 southbound through St. Pete, over the Sunshine Skyway. Get off at US 19 or US 41. Head south to SR 64. Go east on SR 64 to I-75 south. 

I-75 from Tampa: Take I-75 south to US 41 south. Follow US 41 south to SR 64. Head eastbound on SR 64 until you reach I-75.

Trucker Alert: The overpass of U.S. 41 over U.S. 301 has a clearance of just 14 feet. Semitrailer trucks are being advised to take I-75 to northbound I-275 to the U.S. 41 exit. At U.S. 41, the trucks can then travel south to reach State Road  64.

At 4 bucks a gallon, it's hard not to rethink every aspect of your commute. Where and how far you travel, where you fill up..these minor details have become much more important. Has the price of gas changed your daily habits? People are trading in their SUV's for scooters, carpooling, riding public transit...doing anything to save a few bucks.

Since gas prices started climbing, more people in our area have decided to park their cars and hop on the bus. PSTA says bus ridership reached an all time high of 1 million in April. HART ridership also jumped 11 percent last year.  And if you're wondering how much you'd be saving if you took the bus... A monthly pass is about $60-80, about the price most drivers pay for ONE full tank of gas.

Even though public transit numbers have skyrocketed, PSTA and HART say gas prices are hurting they're budget too. Both transit agencies are looking at a 25 cent fare increase in fiscal 2009. PSTA is also changing and eliminating unproductive routes.

Check out the full report in the "traffic news" section!

Are these misconceptions or myths:

#1. Fill your tank in the morning
#2. Change your air filter
#3. Use premium fuel
#4. Pump up your tires
#5. To A/C or not to A/C
#6. Bolt-ons and pour-ins

Check out the below article for myths or misconceptions

>>CHECK OUT THE CNNMONEY.COM ARTICLE

I have an Infiniti FX 35 that gets 18 miles a gal, and Land Rover that gets 13 miles a gal, and a Jeep Cherokee that get around 17. The Infiniti is the best of the 3 on gas, but at 18 miles a gallon, at near $4 a gallon, I may as well drive a Sherman tank.  

(This sounds like a country song, doesn’t it?)

The SUV trend that saved the American Car makers is quickly sending them to the grave. Because dealers are offering little for a SUV trade in, (because they can’t get rid of them) the remaining value leaves you upside down on your car loan. This balance is then placed on top of the already over priced fuel efficient cars loan, combined, you really don’t save any money.

Will the high price of gas put the final nail in the American car maker’s coffin, or force them to be more fuel efficient?

...not withstanding, why are all the hybrids so damn ugly?

Douglas Chick

All it takes is a simple click of your seatbelt to save your life. So why is it so hard for people to do it? Well, local law enforcement don't care what you're reasons are for NOT buckling up. If you get caught not wearing your seatbelt, you're going to pay up. $76.50. So, why not buckle up, save a life and save some cash?!

The nationwide campaign is kicking of in Pinellas County this week and Deputy Ken Euler from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office joined me on Good Day this morning to talk more about the nationwide campaign. You can find the full interview under the Good Day tab.

Here's a few facts.

In 2006, 120 people died in traffic crashes in Pinellas County.

43 of them were not wearing seatbelts.

Florida Seatbelt Law: The driver and front seat passenger must be belted.  Anyone under the age of 18 in the vehicle must be belted regardless of where they are sitting. If you are over 18 years old, You can not get pulled over for not wearing your seatbelt, there must be some type of moving violation for a police officer to stop you.

It was a sad day in Bradenton Friday when a pregnant mom and her 10 year-old son lost their lives in an accident. Friday's crash has caused quite a stir in the community and now the Department of Transportation is trying to make the intersection safer. FDOT is conducting a traffic study at Manatee Avenue East and 48th Street Court East. Teams are heading out to the crash site this week to begin a field review. Since January 2004, 77 crashes have occured at the intersection or within the surrounding area but this last accident was the first fatality. So far, there has been talk of adding a protected signal (a green arrow followed by a red) rather than a permissive signal (a green arrow followed by a green light).

Is there a dangerous intersection in your neighborhood that you're concerned about? If so, let me know.

Students at Bloomingdale High School will be listening for safe drivers this week. The kids will be standing at all the school's parking lots at 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, wearing bright T's and holding flashy signs with the phrase: "HONK if you're buckled up!" It's all part of a nationwide competition sponsored by AllState called "Act out loud: Raising voices for safe teen driving." The goal is to promote safe teen driving habits for prom, graduation and summer driving.

Drive by and support them if you can!

If you're not racked by enough environmental guilt to buy a hybrid car...there's still plenty of ways to keep eco-friendly behind the wheel.

Avoid quick starts. Aggressive driving has the most impact on gas mileage. One second of high powered driving can produce the same volume of carbon monoxide emissions as one half hour of regular driving. Make sure you accelerate gradually.

Follow the speed limit. Each 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 mph, you're paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.

No idiling. Don't be idle too long. Instead of sitting at the drive-thru go inside and grab your meal. Idiling uses more fuel than turning off the engine.

Hi Jen,

 My name is Michael Grant Smith I to am from Allentown. I also went to temple. I just wanted to say your doing a great job! If you have the time e-mail me back It would be neat to see maybe if we have some of the same friends. Have Great days! And please tell everyone They Do A GREAT JOB (I THINK BETTER THEN ALLENTOWN COULD EVER!!!!!) Your in a much better place! Your Viewer Michael