FDOT shares progress on years-long Howard Frankland Bridge project

The Howard Frankland Bridge replacement project, a significant infrastructure endeavor in the Tampa Bay area, is nearing completion, as detailed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). During a recent tour, FDOT officials highlighted the advancements made in the project, with senior project manager David Alonso explaining that the general use lanes will facilitate southbound traffic between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The team recently achieved a major milestone by finishing pile driving and is now focused on extensive concrete work, including setting beams and casting the bridge deck. Greg Deese, the FDOT resident engineer, provided insights into the construction process, noting that a large yellow machine called a Bidwell is being used to level the concrete. As of now, crews have completed 84% of the bridge decks, which will serve as traffic lanes once finished.

FDOT officials are optimistic about connecting both sides of the bridge by the end of 2024, a development that promises to enhance traffic flow in the area. The project underscores the ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvement in the Tampa Bay region. This update reflects the project’s importance not only for local commuters but also for regional connectivity.