Skip to main content

Florida replacing Howard Frankland Bridge

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working on plans to replace the Howard Franklin Bridge. The project is now expected to cost US$814 million, an increase from the $750 million originally envisaged. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2019, with construction commencing in 2020. The first stage of the project should be ready for use in 2024, providing a significant increase in daily capacity and boosting the emergency evacuation capacity also. The new bridge will carry four lanes of traffi
August 22, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

2697 Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working on plans to replace the Howard Franklin Bridge. The project is now expected to cost US$814 million, an increase from the $750 million originally envisaged. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2019, with construction commencing in 2020. The first stage of the project should be ready for use in 2024, providing a significant increase in daily capacity and boosting the emergency evacuation capacity also.

The new bridge will carry four lanes of traffic in either direction, replacing the existing structure which was built in the 1960s and is now reaching the end of its working life.

The structure will feature four southbound lanes for traffic in the direction of St Petersburg. The design includes four express toll lanes, with two lanes in either direction. Only drivers paying tolls will be allowed to use the express lanes, with the charges varying depending on demand.

The plans call for the existing southbound bridge, which was built in 1990, to be switched to carry northbound traffic. Further in the future, the new bridge will carry light rail (on lanes that will initially be used for northbound traffic) and an additional structure will be constructed to carry extra northbound traffic lanes. The new design also includes facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Once the new bridge is in use, the old structure will be demolished. However FDOT will also take care over the demolition work, which will be carried out in accordance with the strict environmental restrictions in the state and will ensure no contaminants affect the water resources.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New bridge to link New Jersey and Pennsylvania
    March 31, 2016
    A new tolled bridge link is planned to connect the US states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The structure will carry traffic on Interstate 95 and span the Delaware River. Construction work for the new bridge is expected to begin next year and take four years to complete, with the new tolled link is expected to open to traffic during 2019. The new crossing will replace the ageing Scudder’s Falls Bridge and this wider and safer structure is expected to cost around US$334 million. The toll charges have yet to
  • Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, an extradosed design, opens in Connecticut
    September 30, 2015
    The first extradosed designed bridge in the United States, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven, Connecticut, was opened to traffic on September 28.
  • Making the U-turn
    August 2, 2012
    Political hostility to a toll road project in Australia has been turned around by the quality and amenity of the project writes Adrian Greeman Cars, trucks and vans were taking to the new EastLink toll road in Melbourne with enthusiasm this July, pleased to try out its 39km route for time and cost savings. As well as the convenience of the uncongested route, drivers were also able to view an extraordinary multi-shaded perspective of transparent green and orange noise wall panels, burnt earth-coloured retai
  • Florida interchange upgrade project
    July 21, 2022
    A major Florida interchange upgrade project has been awarded.