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Project Details
Work Type Interchange Improvement
Phase Completed
Limits from east of CR 54 to west of Cypress Ridge Boulevard
City
County
Road
About

As of April 4, 2023, all work was completed and this project was final-accepted from the contractor.

This project reconfigured the I-75 / SR 56 interchange between CR 54 and Cypress Ridge Boulevard in Pasco County. The former diamond interchange was modified and converted to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The main change was to diverge (cross) SR 56 traffic to the left side of the road through the interchange, and then cross vehicles back over to the right side of the road on the opposite side of the interchange. The improvements help alleviate traffic congestion at the interchange to reduce travel time for motorists in this rapidly growing area. 

    * Construction cost includes original construction contract amount plus approved contract changes. It does not include inspection oversite.

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        MAJOR PROJECT UPDATES

        • The interchange of SR 56 and I-75 was converted to a Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern on May 1, 2022.
        • All lanes are open throughout the project area!  A fourth westbound SR 56 lane was opened on October 31, 2022, along with a third left turn lane from the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp onto westbound SR 56.
        • All pedestrian and bicycle facilities were open throughout the project area as of December 10, 2022. Pedestrians have 5-foot-wide sidewalks on each side of SR 56 and cross into a barrier-protected 7-foot-wide section in the median of the bridge over I-75. Bicycles have dedicated lanes next to traffic in each direction of SR 56.

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        Why convert the interchange to a DDI?
        A DDI was chosen for the I-75 / SR 56 interchange because of the proven ability of this traffic configuration to increase safety and capacity while using a large amount of the existing interchange footprint, including the existing bridge. The DDI was also chosen because of its ability to handle heavy left turn volumes, such as the westbound to southbound movement from SR 56 to SB I-75.

        The expected benefits for the interchange are an increase in capacity and pedestrian safety while reducing vehicle delays and crashes. These benefits will be achieved by an increased number of lanes, improved pedestrian facilities, more efficient signal timings and reduced vehicle conflict points.

        How does the DDI work?
        Unlike a conventional diamond interchange -- no matter what direction you are driving on State Road 56 – you diverge -- or cross to the left side of the road through the interchange, and then cross back over to the right side of the road, on the opposite side of the interchange.

        The Diverging Diamond Interchange at State Road 56 reduces vehicle delays by allowing traffic to enter the interstate without waiting at a left turn signal.  To do this, traffic is redirected from the right side of the bridge to the left side.

        Signalized crossovers are positioned at each side of the interchange, and are designed to cross eastbound and westbound State Road 56 traffic with no turning movements at these two intersections. This design allows for more efficient signal timing, which reduces delay times, minimizes conflict points, and enables the interchange to more effectively handle higher volumes of traffic while eliminating the more serious crashes associated with a conventional interchange.

        Other features and benefits of diverging diamond interchanges

        • DDIs operate under two-phase signal control, which reduces lost time, delays and queue lengths at traffic signals.
        • Safety features include lower design speeds between ramps and a reduction in the number of conflict points. The lower speeds result in less severe crashes.
        • Increased safety for pedestrians and bicycles.
        • Better sight distance at turns.
          View Factsheet
          Contact Information
          Media Contact
          Kris Carson
          813-975-6060
          kristen.carson@dot.state.fl.us
          Closures
          • There are no closures at this time.
          Project Files
          Project Videos
          Project Images
          Looking northeast over SR 56 from Grand Cypress Drive (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the crossover on the west side of I-75  (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking northeast at the SR 56 / I-75 Diverging Diamond Interchange (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at the crossover on the east side of I-75 (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking southwest over SR 56 at I-75 (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (2/16/2023 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at SR 56 (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at the I-75 Diverging Diamond Interchange (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at the I-75 Diverging Diamond Interchange (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the I-75 Diverging Diamond Interchange (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 at the I-75 Diverging Diamond Interchange (12/16/2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the crossover on the west side of I-75 (11/16/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at the crossover on the east side of I-75 (11/16/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (11/16/2022 photo)
          All lanes are open on westbound SR 56 approaching I-75 (11/1/2022 photo)
          Westbound SR 56 traffic waits at the traffic signal at the crossover point on the east side of I-75 (11/1/2022 photo)
          Looking down on the intersection of the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp at westbound SR 56 (10/31/2022 photo)
          Looking south at the intersection of the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp at westbound SR 56 (10/31/2022 photo)
          All lanes are now open on SR 56 as seen here looking west towards I-75 (10/31/2022 photo)
          Looking east at SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (10/31/2022 photo)
          Looking east at SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (10/31/2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the diverging (crossover) point on the east side of the I-75 interchange (10/17/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at the crossover points on each side of the I-75 interchange (10/17/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 between I-75 and Grand Cypress Blvd. (10/17/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (10/17/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest on SR 56 at the crossover point on the east side of I-75 (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest on SR 56 approaching the crossover area on the east side of I-75 (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking southeast on SR 56 at the crossover on the east side of I-75 (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast on SR 56 at work to complete the pedestrian facilities in the median (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast on SR 56 approaching the crossover on the west side of I-75 (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast on SR 56 approaching I-75 with traffic lanes in the final alignment (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking west on SR 56 at Grand Cypress Blvd. with traffic lanes in the final alignment (10/11/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 at the Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 (9/16/2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 (9/16/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (9/16/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast at the SR 56 interchange at I-75 (8/15/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at the Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-75 (8/15/2022 photo)
          Westbound SR 56 traffic no longer has to wait at a traffic signal to enter southbound I-75 (8/12/2022 photo)
          Drivers on the ramp from the northbound I-275/I-75 exits wait to go east on SR 56 (8/12/2022 photo)
          Westbound SR 56 traffic drives through the Diverging Diamond Interchange (8/12/2022 photo)
          On eastbound SR 56 looking at traffic stopped on the east side of I-75 just before westbound traffic gets the green signal (7-6-2022 photo)
          On eastbound SR 56 on the east side of I-75 watching westbound traffic and northbound exit ramp traffic going eastbound on SR 56 get the green signals (7-6-2022 photo)
          Stopped on eastbound SR 56 looking at westbound traffic in the crossover on the east side of I-75 (7-6-2022 photo)
          Construction continues along SR 56 working to finish the project (7-6-2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at SR 56 in the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (6/17/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 --  the crossovers on each side of I-75 are part of the  Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern put into place on May 1, 2022  (6/17/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 on the east side of I-75 at traffic in the new diverging diamond interchange pattern (5/17/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at I-75 in the new diverging diamond interchange traffic pattern (5/17/2022 photo)
          Looking southeast over the I-75 / SR 56 area now in the diverging diamond interchange traffic pattern (5/17/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (5/17/2022 photo)
          SR 56 remains a very active work zone as crews work towards the project completion this summer (5/12/2022 photo)
          Looking east on the west side of I-75 at SR 56 traffic moving through the just-opened Diverging Diamond Interchange (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56 over I-75 right after the Diverging Diamond Interchange opened to traffic (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking east at SR 56 over I-75 right after the Diverging Diamond Interchange opened to traffic (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking south at SR 56 right after the Diverging Diamond Interchange opened to traffic. At the top, traffic is going onto eastbound SR 56 from the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp. Traffic on SR 56 is heading westbound, getting ready to enter the crossover. (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56 right after the Diverging Diamond Interchange opened to traffic. At the left, traffic is entering eastbound SR 56 from the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp. Traffic on SR 56 is heading westbound through the crossover to the south side of the SR 56 corridor. (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking southwest at SR 56 right after the Diverging Diamond Interchange opened to traffic. At the top, traffic is stopped at the traffic signal before entering eastbound SR 56 from the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp. Traffic on SR 56 is heading westbound, getting ready to enter the crossover once the signal turns green. (5/1/2022 photo)
          Ever see SR 56 without traffic? We did today as work was taking place to convert the area to the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          The SR 56 roadway is busy with workers making the conversion to the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          Signal work in preparation for changing to the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          Workers place marks for roadway restriping (5/1/2022 photo)
          Workers were busy on Sunday converting SR 56 to the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          Old lines are removed on SR 56 so the roadway can be restriped for the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          The SR 56 roadway is restriped for the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          The SR 56 roadway is restriped for the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          The SR 56 roadway is restriped for the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern (5/1/2022 photo)
          Workers place raised pavement markers on the newly striped SR 56 roadway (5/1/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (4/18/2022 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at I-75 (4/18/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 towards Grand Cypress Drive on the west side of I-75 (4/18/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 from east of I-75 (March 2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 from west of I-75 (March 2022 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 from west of I-75 (March 2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (3/17/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 towards the I-75 interchange (3/17/2022 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (3/17/2022 photo)
          Detour map for closure of SR 56 over I-75
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (2/17/2022 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 to the I-75 interchange (2/17/2022 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 to the I-75 interchange (2/17/2022 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56 over I-75 (2/17/2022 photo)
          Detour map for closure of eastbound SR 56 at I-75
          Detour map for closure of westbound SR 56 at I-75
          Looking east over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (12/15/2021 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (12/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (12/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (11/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 to the I-75 interchange (11/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56 over I-75 (11/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56, west of I-75 (11/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west of SR 56 from Marshbend Way to Grand Cypress Drive (11/15/2021 photo)
          The new exit point from eastbound SR 56 to the entrance ramp onto southbound I-75 is now further to the west (11/22/2021 photo)
          A temporary 3rd eastbound SR 56 lane opened on November 22, 2021 (11/22/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (10/14/2021 photo)
          Looking southwest at SR 56 over I-75 (10/14/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 towards the I-75 interchange (10/14/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 on the west side of I-75 (10/14/2021 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (9/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (9/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 towards I-75. (8/17/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at I-75. (8/17/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 on the west side of I-75. (8/17/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (7/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (7/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northeast over the I-75 / SR 56 interchange (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 from the Grand Cypress Drive intersection (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking east over SR 56 towards the I-75 interchange (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 on the west side of the I-75 interchange (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 towards the I-75 interchange (6/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (5/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 towards the I-75 interchange (5/14/2021 photo)
          Looking southwest over SR 56 at the south side of the I-75 interchange (5/14/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at southbound I-75 interchange ramps (5/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 from Grand Cypress Drive (5/14/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at construction of the eastbound SR 56 ramp onto southbound I-75 (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 at ramp construction on the west side of I-75 (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest at SR 56 over I-75 and construction in all four interchange quadrants (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking southwest over SR 56 at construction of the northbound I-275/I-75 exit ramp to SR 56 (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 (left side) at I-75 ramp construction (4/14/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest over SR 56 approaching I-75 at the top of the photo (4/14/2021 photo)
          Building the new eastbound SR 56 entrance ramp onto southbound I-75 (3/31/2021 photo)
          Building the new eastbound SR 56 entrance ramp onto southbound I-75 (3/31/2021 photo)
          Building the new eastbound SR 56 entrance ramp onto southbound I-75 (3/31/2021 photo)
          Looking east at construction of the northbound I-275 / I-75 ramp onto eastbound SR 56 (3/31/2021 photo)
          Looking northwest at SR 56 crossing over I-75 with construction in all four quadrants  (3/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at the SR 56 overpass (3/15/2021 photo)
          Looking northeast over SR 56 between Grand Cypress Drive (bottom) and I-75 (3/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 at work in the median and northbound interchange ramps (3/15/2021 photo)
          The free-flow right turn movement from the southbound I-75 exit ramp to westbound SR 56 has reopened (3/25/2021 photo)
          Reconstructing the southbound I-75 exit ramp to SR 56 (3/4/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 approaching I-75 - widening SR 56 and realigning interchange ramps (2/15/2021 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 and I-75 - construction of new ramp alignments in all quadrants (2/15/2021 photo)
          Looking southwest over SR 56 on the west side of I-75 - reconstructing the interchange ramps (2/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 towards SR 56 - reconstructing the interchange to a diverging diamond (2/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north at SR 56 over I-75 - construction of new ramp alignments (2/15/2021 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 towards the SR 56 diverging diamond interchange construction (Dec. 13, 2020 photo)
          Looking north over SR 56 at the I-75 interchange (Dec. 13, 2020 photo)
          Looking west over SR 56 from the east side of the I-75 interchange (Dec. 13, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56, on the west side of the I-75 interchange (Dec. 13, 2020 photo)
          Looking east at SR 56 from Grand Cypress Drive (Dec. 13, 2020 photo)
          Looking southeast at construction at the I-75 / SR 56 interchange (November 16, 2020 photo)
          Looking north over I-75 at ramp construction at SR 56 (November 16, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at construction on SR 56, east of I-75 (November 16, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at interchange construction on SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (November 16, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at construction on SR 56, west of I-75 (November 16, 2020 photo)
          Detour map for closure of Southbound I-75 Exit 275 to SR 56
          Detour map for closure of SR 56 ramp onto northbound I-75
          On eastbound SR 56 approaching I-75, widening work is taking place in the median (October 15, 2020 photo)
          New pavement construction on the north side of SR 56 approaching I-75
          Work along the SR 56 entrance onto northbound I-75 (October 15, 2020 photo)
          Median construction along SR 56, just east of Grand Cypress Drive (October 15, 2020 photo)
          Construction in the SR 56 median at the traffic signals on the west side of I-75 (October 15, 2020 photo)
          Median construction along SR 56, just east of Grand Cypress Drive (October 15, 2020 photo)
          Work on the north side of SR 56, east of I-75 (October 15, 2020 photo)
          Looking southwest at construction in the median of SR 56 near Grand Cypress Drive (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Looking north at SR 56 over I-75 with construction along all interchange ramps (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at SR 56 over I-75 (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Construction along the northbound I-75 / I-275 exit ramp to SR 56 (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Reconstruction of the SR 56 entrance ramp onto northbound I-75 (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at construction on the north side of SR 56 approaching I-75 (September 15, 2020 photo)
          Looking north on I-75 at the SR 56 interchange (May 19, 2020 photo)
          Looking east at interchange construction on SR 56 on the east side of I-75 (May 19, 2020 photo)
          Looking east at interchange construction on SR 56 on the west side of I-75 (May 19, 2020 photo)
          Looking west at construction in the median of SR 56, west of I-75 (May 19, 2020 photo)
          Detour map for closure of northbound I-275 / I-75 exit ramp to SR 56
          Detour map for closure of southbound I-75 ramp to westbound SR 56
          I-75/SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) - April 2020
          I-75/SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) - April 2020
          I-75/SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) - April 2020
          I-75/SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) - April 2020
          I-75/SR 56 Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) - April 2020
          Detour map for closure of Southbound I-75 Exit 275 to SR 56
          Work next to the SR 56 entrance ramp onto northbound I-75
          Workers build a wall on the north side of SR 56, east of I-75