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

  • How Florida paved the way for availability payments in the US
    November 21, 2014
    New financing models have been used to deliver key transport links in the US - * Patrick D Harder and Brandon J Davis Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) public-private partnership (PPP) programme has made impressive progress, setting precedents for US transportation planning and funding. On March 26th 2014, FDOT opened 16km of new reversible express lanes as part of its US$1.8 billion I-595 Corridor Roadway Improvements Project. Just a few months later, on August 3rd 2014, FDOT opened twin tunnel
  • Controversial Russian bridge opens
    August 10, 2018
    The first stage of a controversial Russian bridge project is now complete, with the link having been opened to use by cars and buses. The Kerch Strait bridge spans the Black Sea, connecting Russia’s Taman Peninsula in Krasnodar with Crimea, the latter having been controversially annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. The official opening of the 19km-long bridge was carried out by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, who drove across the link in a Russian-manufactured Kamaz truck to reach the city of Kerch.
  • Key projects free up Auckland's congested motorway network
    June 14, 2012
    A number of key projects in Auckland, New Zealand will free-up the city’s congested motorway network - Mary Searle reports.Auckland is a sprawling city, home to 1.4 million people, one third of New Zealand’s total population. Until recently, greater Auckland comprised Auckland city, North Shore city over the harbour bridge to the north, Waitakere city to the west and Manukau city to the south. An amalgamation of these various cities’ councils, plus the regional council and three district councils into one,
  • Atkins is working on major deals for Texas and Florida
    March 10, 2014
    Atkins is working on major contracts in Texas and Florida for tolling and design and build services respectively. In Texas the Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reselected Atkins as its state-wide prime consultant for toll-plaza planning, development, and implementation. Under the terms of the five-year, $10 million contract, Atkins is providing planning, development, infrastructure design and coordination, and construction oversight services, as well as system installation, integration, and testing serv