After four years, construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge is nearly finished. A representative from Archer-Wester, one of the companies building the bridge, stated the build is about 90% complete. FDOT anticipates opening the new bridge to traffic next Spring.
FDOT spent more than $865 million on the project, making it the department’s largest bridge project in history.
New bridge will have eight lanes
The new bridge will have eight lanes: four general-use lanes and four tolled express lanes in each direction. FDOT expects to open the express lanes in early 2026.
“The benefit will include added capacity and connectivity. This bridge connects Tampa and St. Pete and sees the most travel. So, drivers will experience a significant improvement in traffic flow in this area,” said David Alonso, Construction Senior Project Manager for FDOT.
Approximately 250,000 drivers use the Howard Frankland to travel between Hillsborough and Pinellas County daily. FDOT project leaders say that next spring, these drivers will have a safer and more efficient ride.
David Alonso, senior project manager for FDOT, said, “We designed this new bridge with added capacity, including four additional express lanes. Drivers will see a significant improvement in traffic flow through this area.”
Alonso said the new build brings the Howard Frankland Bridge into the 21st century.
“The original Howard Frankland Bridge from the 60s had exceeded its service life,” he said.
The design of the new bridge considers Tampa Bay’s rapid growth and driver safety.
“Less congestion should improve safety. We also added more barrier walls,” Alonso explained. “And the pavement cross sections ensure water sheds off the pavement to prevent hydroplaning conditions.”
Read also: Three design concepts for two new rail bridges over Fort Lauderdale’s New River
Substructure of the new bridge
Workers have completed the substructure of the new bridge, which was the most challenging portion of the build.
Alonso said, “Now, we are working primarily on the superstructure above the piles, and that phase is much more predictable.”
FDOT expects to open the new bridge to traffic next spring. Then, workers will close the existing southbound bridge for repairs. Once completed, that bridge will reopen to traffic, while workers demolish the existing northbound bridge.
Greg Deese, the project’s FDOT resident engineer said, “Reconstructing the Howard Frankland Bridge, a structure that will last the next hundred years and will become the biggest bridge in the state when complete, is a really big deal.”
More than 300 people are working on the bridge project, according to FDOT.
When completed, the new bridge will measure 168 feet wide, making it the largest by surface area in Florida.
“We will have Traffic monitoring cameras for quick incident response. Greg Deese from FDOT explained that the dedicated express lanes will enhance safety by reducing traffic in the general use lanes. Additionally, workers are building a pathway for cyclists and pedestrians.
Workers are also constructing a bicycle/pedestrian pathway. After constructing the new bridge, they will dismantle the current northbound/eastbound bridge.
Read also: The two Gordie Howe International Bridge decks to be connected in June 2024
New Howard Frankland Bridge Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Connects Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida
Project Type: Bridge replacement and expansion
Construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge timeline
Construction Start: Approximately 2020
Projected Completion: Spring 2025
Express Lanes Opening: Early 2026
Cost and Scale
Total Cost: Over $865 million
Project Status: Largest bridge project in FDOT history
New Howard Frankland Bridge Specifications
Total Lanes: 8 lanes (4 in each direction)
4 general-use lanes
4 tolled express lanes
Width: 168 feet (largest by surface area in Florida)
Daily Traffic: Approximately 250,000 drivers
Key Features
Bicycle/pedestrian pathway
Improved safety features:
More barrier walls
Better water drainage to prevent hydroplaning
Traffic monitoring cameras for quick incident response
Designed for Tampa Bay’s rapid growth
Read also: US$4.7 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel project contracts awarded
