Most Expensive Bridge in Florida History to Open Next Year

A massive new bridge project is set to open in 2025, and it’s the most expensive in Florida’s history.

At a construction cost of $865 million, the new Howard Frankland Bridge started construction in 2020 and is expected to complete late 2025.

The original Howard Frankland Bridge was constructed in 1959, a second bridge was constructed in 1991. The new bridge that began construction in 2020 will replace the existing northbound (1959) bridge. The new bridge provides four southbound general-purpose lanes and two tolled express lanes in each direction. The project also includes a bike/pedestrian path. Once complete, drivers can use four general purpose lanes and two tolled express lanes in each direction.

The Howard Frankland Bridge is the most travelled bridge in Tampa Bay- About 250,000 people cross the current bridge daily, and with the massive growth Tampa Bay is experiencing now and for years to come, this project should alleviate some congestion.

An exciting note about this project: “A portion of the new bridge is being constructed to hold additional weight and can accommodate potential future transit, up to a light rail transit system.” – FDOT. Should light rail transit be locally supported for implementation, the existing southbound (1991) bridge would then be widened, and travel lanes shifted to the widened bridge.

As our region grows in a big way, big infrastructure projects are necessary to meet demand. This time, it’s great to see light rail be considered for the future.