Howard Frankland Bridge Replacement Nears Completion

The Florida Department of Transportation will open express lanes and a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the Howard Frankland Bridge this spring. Crews are working on the express lanes. They're tearing down the aging structure that was built in the 1960s.

"Right now, with the Howard Frankland Bridge, we're working primarily on the express lanes and the demolition of the old 1960s bridge," said Austin Petersen, an engineer with FDOT, according to Fox 13 News.

The express lanes are designed to give drivers more predictable travel times across Tampa Bay. FDOT says the lanes will offer another option for motorists traveling between their starting point and destination.

"We want to give drivers in the area another option to make sure that they know that they can get from Point A to Point B when they expect to get there," Petersen said.

The shared-use path will include scenic features overlooking the bay. Lookout spots dot the route. "We've got esthetic features that we're doing, little lookout areas where people can stop and look over the bay and relax," Petersen said.

Crews are continuing demolition of the original span. Engineers say replacing the old structure was essential to meet current transportation demands.

"To replace that with something that's going to last us for 80 to 100 years to come, as well as to account for some of the demand on the railway that we have, we decided to implement this project," Petersen said.

The project remains on schedule for completion this summer. FDOT offered a close-up look Friday at progress on the new structure.

Drivers will need to plan ahead next week as construction affects traffic. Southbound I-275 lanes toward the bridge will close from 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, weather permitting.

"Motorists will detour off the interstate using SR 60, with message boards and temporary signage guiding traffic along Memorial Highway, Courtney Campbell Causeway, Bayside Bridge, and Roosevelt Boulevard," FDOT said in a news release.

"We have to do work over traffic, so we need to defer traffic away from the bridge at that time so that we make sure everyone is safe," Petersen added. Northbound I-275 lanes from St. Petersburg to Tampa will not be affected. Drivers should expect delays. Allow extra travel time.