The Crosstown Expressway (SR 618): Westbound & Eastbound

Before we begin with photos, here is a brief history of the Crosstown Expressway.

Original designs had SR 449 north of the current SR 618 route, beginning at exit 3 and following a CSX rail line to Cass Street, and then cutting through Downtown. The original expressway ended at current exit 11.

Construction started on SR 449 (South Crosstown Expressway) in 1974, beginning at exit 1 (Gandy Blvd). The route made an eastward turn at exit 4 (Willow Ave) as it went through Hyde Park. Construction ended with a 3/4 mile long viaduct that spanned the Hillsborough River in the southern portion of Downtown, ending at exit 6A (Florida Ave). The initial six miles of the expressway opened in 1976.

Construction started on an extension in 1979 due to the population in Brandon and Adamo Drive. The extension opened in 1981 and extended the downtown viaduct through Ybor City. The route continued through Palm River, and terminated at exit 14 (Falkenburg Rd).

Construction of I-75 from Lutz to Hialeah in 1987 connected exit 15 with a trumpet interchange.

What was planned as the "West Crosstown Expressway" was designed as SR 589 and would have connected exit 4 to the current Veterans Expressway interchange with I-275 and SR 60. Public opposition thwarted the connection, and SR 449 became the current SR 618.

CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY WEST:

Use exit 256 on I-75 for the Crosstown Expressway.

From the c/d roadway, you can see I-75 and exit 257. This exit takes you to US 301 if you miss exit 254 (Use exit 13 on the Crosstown for US 301).

Approaching the end of the c/d roadway, there are signs for the ramp speed at 45 mph.

This is a sharp curve, so reduce your speed to 40 MPH! After this curve, then you will be on SR 618 West.

Exit 13 is the first exit on westbound SR 618. For Downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, use the left 2 lanes.

The express lanes are in 0.5 miles to Downtown Tampa. No trucks are allowed on the express lanes, and you need to have a SunPass or toll by plate account in order to use the express lanes.

For exits 1 to 11, and Ybor City exit 9, keep right. Toll violations cost $100 plus the toll price.

Final opportunity for the express lanes to Downtown via SR 618 West.

What is currently a service road was originally a toll booth on the Crosstown Expressway before 2010.

The off ramp to the service road, with barricades and "NO THRU TRAFFIC" pavement.

Located after the service road, is a toll booth. SunPass users cost $1.78, and toll by plate is $2.03 in both directions. Photo taken 6/5/2019

Use exit 11 for 50th Street and Adamo Drive.

Exit 10 to I-4 and I-275 is in 1 mile. This exit requires a SunPass account or toll by plate.

Located after exit 10, is a sign for exit 9. Use this exit for 22nd Street and for Port Tampa Bay. The exit is in 1 mile.

Use the right 2 lanes for exit 10, which is in 0.5 miles. Like I said earlier, you need to have a SunPass account or toll by plate to use this exit.

"Congestion on I-4 West. Expect delays". This is a common thing on the Malfunction Junction after exit 10.

Exit 9 is the second exit after exit 10. Use this exit for 22nd Street and Port Tampa Bay.

The two right lanes depart once you see this sign on the Crosstown Expressway, located on exit 10. Use the left 2 lanes for Downtown Tampa.

Final opportunity for exit 9.

Located before the curve, there is a reduce speed ahead sign. The speed limit after this sign is 55 MPH.

Heading to Amalie Arena or the Florida Aquarium? Use exit 8 for Downtown East.

Going to the Straz Center or the Tampa Convention Center? Use exit 7 for Downtown West.

Exit 7 is in 1 mile, while exit 8 is in 0.5 miles.

The Downtown Tampa skyline becomes visible here. The Downtown exits are straight ahead.

Exit 8 is for Downtown East and Kennedy Blvd.

Use exit 7 for Downtown West. This exit will take you to Brorein and Morgan streets. For a non-tolled alternative, you can use this exit to go to TGH.

Exit 5 for Hyde Park Avenue is in 0.5 miles.

Use the right lane for Hyde Park Avenue and Davis Islands as indicated by Exit Only.

Final opportunity for exit 5 for Hyde Park Avenue. The white sign to the left is for the upcoming toll. Photo taken 6/5/2019

Former sign gantry used for the original toll booths, the SunPass and cash toll signs were removed in 2010.

Use the right lane for exit 4 as described on the sign.

Final opportunity for exit 4.

Exit 3 for Bay To Bay Blvd is in 1 mile. Before we exit, let's talk about the road.

Bay To Bay Blvd is a street that runs for 2 miles. It starts at S West Shore Blvd and ends at Bayshore Blvd.

Final opportunity for exit 3.

From the westbound lanes of the Crosstown Expressway, this photo shows the ramp separation from the local lanes.

Exit 2 for Euclid Avenue is in 0.5 miles. No trucks are allowed on Euclid, as shown on the bottom of the sign.

Photo taken on 6/5/2019. Exit 2 is the final exit before the construction zone. The signs for exit 2 were updated in recent years.

Photo taken on 12/26/2018, showing the 2005 signage for Euclid Avenue and Gandy Blvd.

Ramp speed for exit 2 is 30 MPH, along with a confirming exit sign. This photo clearly shows the separation between the two lanes.

Unmarked exits 1A and 1B are ahead. Use the left lane for US 92 East, or the right lane for US-92 West towards St. Petersburg.

This is the final exit on the westbound side of SR 618.

Located on exit 1, is a speed reduction sign. This is for the 30 MPH exit ramp.

Once you are on the exit ramps to US 92, you should slow down to 30 MPH.

GANDY BLVD TO SR 618:

The entrance ramp to SR 618 is in 0.5 miles.

These "JCT TOLL 618" signs appear before the CSX railroad tracks.

Photo taken on 6/5/2019, showing the current layout of the expressway on ramp.

Photo taken on 6/24/2017. This is the layout prior to construction. Use the right lane for the Crosstown Expressway, or the middle lane for SR 573. Keep left for US 92 East.

This on ramp is either temporary or permanent. This was redone due to construction.

Looking at Gandy Blvd from SR 618 East.

DALE MABRY HWY TO SR 618 EAST:

This is the second off-ramp to SR 618 East from US 92/SR 573. There will be another off-ramp for access to the Crosstown Extension (currently under construction).

Signs for the Crosstown Expressway about SunPass or We Bill You and a regular sign appear here. If you miss this ramp, there is no re-entry until Euclid Avenue.

CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY EAST:

The temporary speed limit at the construction zone is 45 MPH. At the end of the work zone, speed limits increase to 55 MPH.

A speed limit 55 sign, from the end of the work zone. The expressway is currently known as the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, although most people call it the Crosstown. The expressway is named after the former Buccaneer player.

Going to the Straz Center or the Tampa Convention Center? Use exit 6A for Florida Avenue to Downtown West. This sign is seen over Howard Avenue.

Exit 4 for Willow Avenue is in 0.5 miles. This sign might be in the original supports.

Going to a Tampa Bay Lightning game or to the Aquarium? Use exit 6B for Channelside Drive to Downtown East.

Final opportunity for exit 4. The ramp speed at this exit is 30 MPH.

If this were 2009, then signs for the toll booths would be posted here. The signs were removed when AET gantries replaced the conventional toll booths.

For Florida Avenue, use exit 6A, and for Channelside Drive, use exit 6B.

A toll price sign, located approximately 500 feet from the toll booth. Photo taken 6/5/2019

Newer 2006 signage for exits 6A and 6B, and Thru Traffic signage. This is a dual lane exit for Downtown East and West.

Final opportunity for exits 6A/6B. Exit speed is 20 MPH.

Exit 9 for US 41 BUS (22nd Street) is in 1 mile.

Exit 9 can be used to go to Ybor City and the Amtrak station. Cruise ships and a Tourist Information Center are also at this exit.

Exit 9 is in 0.5 miles, while exit 10 is in 1 mile.

An exit 9 sign, with an arrow pointing downward.

Final opportunity for exit 9. Exit 10 is in 0.5 miles.

For exit 10, you must use the right two lanes as indicated by the sign.

Pull through signage for eastbound SR 618 appear here. Exit 10 becomes Exit Only after this point.

Coming up in 1/3 mile, is the Selmon Express Lanes. The Express Lanes run for 9 miles from Downtown Tampa to Brandon.

Ramps to the I-4 Connector and a speed limit sign are shown here.

For the Express Lanes, you must use this exit. There is no re-entry until US 301.

Exit 11 (US 41/50th Street) is in 3/4 mile.

Also described in my "Selmon Connector" post is the signs to exit 11, which is in 1/4 mile. The far right lane is Exit Only.

Exit 11 departs here, and you must pay a toll in order to get off via this ramp.

A confirming exit 11 sign, followed by a toll booth. After that is 50th Street.

Before the express lanes opened, you would have to take 78th Street to SR 60 to get to Brandon Mall. Exit 12 is in 1 mile.

Photo taken 7/2/2019, showing the current toll rates effective July 1, 2019 ($1.78 is now $1.83, so an increase by 6 cents).

An Arial-based exit sign is still here! Normally this would be replaced by the FHWA standard "Highway Gothic" font, as based in the 2009 MUTCD. Final opportunity for exit 12 to 78th Street.