New Exit Ramps at US 301 and I-75

ELLENTON — The Florida Department of Transportation opened two major interstate ramps in Manatee County this week that the agency says will reduce commute times and reduce accidents.

The new southbound entrance ramp to I-75 from U.S. 301 opened Thursday, and the new northbound ramp is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. Friday morning. The agency says that the longer ramps will reduce backups, while shorter merge lanes should make the exits less confusing.

The shorter loop ramp for southbound I-75 has been permanently closed. While entrance to both exits had been on the north side of U.S. 301, the new configuration moves the southbound exit to the south side of the highway where it crosses the Manatee River before merging to the interstate. Motorists traveling on US 301 southbound will turn left at the new signal (under the I-75 overpass) to use the new on-ramp to I-75 southbound. 

The northbound ramp starts about a mile further south than the old one and crosses the Manatee River. The distance between the northern river bank and U.S. 301 limited the length of the previous exit. It ultimately proved inadequate to service the quickly growing region of the county, sometimes causing backups in the right lane of the interstate.