At the intersection with US 19 in southeastern Pinellas Park, SR 694 becomes known as Gandy Boulevard and turns northeast into northeastern St. Petersburg, heading towards the interchange with Interstate 275 (I-275).

[2] The Gandy Freeway east of US 19 was reconsidered due to increasing congestion and right-of-way already prepared for overpasses at 4th St N/Roosevelt Blvd and 9th St N/MLK St N.[3] The Gandy Freeway has been in planning books for decades, with a roughly 12.6 miles (20.3 km) stretch between a proposed connection to the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway in Tampa, and US 19 (or somewhere westward).

After being shelved for decades, largely due to a lack of funding, the Gandy Freeway section from just east of 4th Street N to the I-275 interchange was finally built at a cost of $83 million.

Fuel from the tanker leaked and ignited, causing a huge fireball of flames to erupt.

The severity of the incident has caused environmental concerns, as fuel seeped about four feet into the ground around and beneath the damaged roadway.

Flames from the fire also charred the retaining wall that now carries westbound traffic over 4th Street and Roosevelt Boulevard.

The Florida Department of Transportation evaluated the condition of the wall and determined that the affected section would need to be partially rebuilt.