History of Howard Frankland Bridge in Timeline

The Howard Frankland Bridge is a major bridge spanning Old Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. As a crucial part of Interstate 275, it is the most heavily used of the three bridges linking Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, the others being the Gandy Bridge and Courtney Campbell Causeway. It serves as a vital transportation artery for the region.

April 1960: Bridge Opening

In April 1960, the Howard Frankland Bridge, named for William Howard Frankland, opened with four lanes at a cost of $16 million.

1962: Installation of concrete barrier

In 1962, a steel-reinforced tapered concrete barrier was installed on the Howard Frankland Bridge to prevent cars from crossing the median after ten deaths.

1978: Planning for a larger-capacity replacement began

In 1978, planning began for a larger-capacity replacement of the Howard Frankland Bridge.

1980: Traffic projections increased

In 1980, traffic projections for the Howard Frankland Bridge increased, exacerbated by a disaster on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, indicating a need for at least eight lanes.

1987: Conclusion to build a parallel, four lane span

By 1987, the decision was made to construct a parallel, four-lane span for the Howard Frankland Bridge, which would be longer and less steep than the original structure.

1988: Construction began on the new span

In 1988, construction began on the new span of the Howard Frankland Bridge.

1990: New southbound span opened

In 1990, the new $54 million southbound span of the Howard Frankland Bridge opened to traffic.

1992: Interstate 275 widened

After the widening project in 1992, Interstate 275 was increased to eight lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

1992: Older bridge reopened

In 1992, the older Howard Frankland Bridge was reopened after rehabilitation.

2017: Reconstruction project planned to begin

In 2017, a reconstruction project was planned to begin for the new Gateway Expressway project, a plan to build a new toll road to connect different parts in Pinellas County.

2020: Overall construction began

In fall 2020, overall construction on the Howard Frankland Bridge project began, with completion expected in spring 2026.

2020: Work began to rebuild the bridge

In fall 2020, work began to rebuild the Howard Frankland Bridge with separate pedestrian and bicycle lanes.

January 7, 2021: FDOT postponed overpass removal

On January 7, 2021, FDOT postponed by a week to January 16, 2021 the start date for removing an overpass and the corresponding exit ramp over I-275.

January 16, 2021: Workers removed the 4th street north interchange bridge

On January 16, 2021, workers removed the 4th street north interchange bridge (overpass) from 8 p.m. on January 16, to 12 p.m. on January 17.

July 9, 2025: Northbound traffic moved to previously existing southbound bridge

On July 9, 2025, northbound traffic was moved to the previously existing southbound bridge.

2025: New southbound span opened; old southbound bridge converted to northbound lanes

In 2025, the new southbound span of the Howard Frankland Bridge opened on March 24th. On July 9th, the old southbound bridge was converted to northbound lanes, permanently taking all traffic off the oldest span.

2026: Major traffic congestion significantly reduced

Once the reconstruction project finished in 2026, major traffic congestion on the Howard Frankland bridge significantly reduced by the addition of new lanes.