News Summary
Construction on the Howard Frankland Bridge is progressing, with a new opening set for spring 2025. With significant enhancements to traffic flow, bridge closure will occur temporarily for overhead sign installation, redirecting drivers to alternative routes. This infrastructure project aims to improve connectivity between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and replace a decades-old bridge, benefiting over 250,000 daily users by adding lanes and pedestrian paths.
Tampa, Florida – Construction on the Howard Frankland Bridge is nearing completion, with significant new features set to enhance travel between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The new bridge is expected to open in spring 2025, as ongoing construction work continues to reshape one of the region’s critical transportation links.
As part of the construction efforts, a section of the bridge will undergo closure from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday. During this time, northbound drivers on Interstate 275 will be rerouted using Gandy Boulevard at Exit 28. Additional routes available for drivers include Roosevelt Boulevard, Bayside Bridge, Courtney Campbell Causeway, and Memorial Highway. Motorists should prepare for potential travel delays, anticipating an additional 30 minutes on the road.
The construction work involves the installation of overhead sign structures as part of the new southbound I-275 bridge project. This undertaking is significant, as it not only replaces a bridge built in the 1960s but also enhances the capacity and traffic flow for approximately 250,000 daily users. The new bridge is set to feature a total of eight lanes, combining four general-use lanes with four tolled express lanes, along with a dedicated pedestrian and bike path.
Since construction began in 2020, the project has developed into one of the largest infrastructure efforts in the area, costing an estimated $865 million. Recent updates reveal that construction workers have placed the final “superstructure” beam on the new bridge, marking a noteworthy milestone in the project timeline.
The development has not been without challenges. Geophysical conditions, such as dense limestone layers, have necessitated increased foundation depth, complicating the construction process. Nevertheless, major progress has been reported over the past months, paving the way for potential early completion timelines.
Once the new bridge is completed, the current northbound lanes will be demolished in early 2026. The existing southbound lanes will then be converted to accommodate northbound traffic, allowing for a seamless transition in the region’s overall traffic management.
The Howard Frankland Bridge stands as a significant engineering achievement. Officials expect it to noticeably improve connectivity in the Tampa Bay area, significantly benefiting local residents. Community members have expressed excitement over recent progress, particularly the anticipated alleviation of congestion for daily commuters.
Efforts are being made to conduct the construction in a manner that minimizes public impact, ensuring the adjacent roadways remain usable throughout the construction period. The project is being closely monitored, with continuing updates on developments and traffic implications being communicated to the public.
As Tampa and Pinellas counties prepare for the new bridge’s opening, residents can look forward to an improved commuting experience, enhanced roadway safety, and better integration of pedestrian and bike traffic with the new infrastructure.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: New Howard Frankland Bridge Opening Spring 2025
- WTSP: Howard Frankland Bridge Construction Timeline
- ABC Action News: Final Phase of New Howard Frankland Bridge Construction
- Wild 94.1: New Howard Franklin Bridge Opening
- WTSP: New Howard Frankland Bridge Opening Date
- Wikipedia: Howard Frankland Bridge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Howard Frankland Bridge
- Google Search: Howard Frankland Bridge
- Google News: Howard Frankland Bridge
