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

  • US$834 million for Seattle area highway widening
    June 17, 2024
    A US$834 million highway widening project is underway for the Seattle area.
  • Highway project in Texas required demolition equipment
    May 1, 2018
    A contractor in Texas has used equipment from Brokk to help out with a tricky highway project. Upgrading work has been carried out on a 6.4km-long stretch of I-35 in San Antonio between Loop 410 NE and Loop 410 S. This stretch of the route was carrying around 185,000 vehicles/day and was suffering increasing levels of congestion at peak periods. Travel times lengthened by 65% during rush hour, while ramps on opposite sides of the interstate caused additional congestion and safety issues. In one section, t
  • Seattle bridge repairs planned
    December 1, 2020
    Repairs are being planned for the West Seattle Bridge.
  • Montreal’s Champlain Bridge superstructure deal signed with Canam-Bridge
    May 22, 2015
    Canada-based Canam-Bridge has been chosen to fabricate the superstructure for the Champlain bridge project in Montreal as well as to supply steel. Marc Dutil, chief executive of Canam, a specialist bridge superstructure fabricator, expects at least 45,000tonnes of steel will be required for the 3.4km bridge that will span the St. Lawrence River which leads to the Great Lakes of North America. The contract is expected to be completed after a formal deal is reached between the SNC-Lavalin consortium con