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I-275 (Howard Frankland Bridge) new southbound bridge between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties
- Project ID
- 422904-2-52-01
Project Details
- Work Type
- New Bridge
- Phase
- Construction
- Limits
- 4th St (Pinellas) to SR 60 (Hillsborough)
- Project Start
- Spring 2020
- Length
- 5.8 miles
- City
- County
- Road
- Construction Cost
- $973.4 million
- Estimated Completion
- Late 2026
- Contractor
- Archer Western/Traylor Bros Joint Venture
About
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has opened the new express lanes on I-275 across the new Howard Frankland Bridge.
The new express lanes extend from 4th Street North in St. Petersburg to just north of the bridge in Tampa. The lanes are in the median of I-275 and separated from the general-use lanes by barrier walls and flexible plastic poles.
As of August 22, 2026, tolls will be collected electronically 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the new Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) Express Lanes across Old Tampa Bay through the SunPass Prepaid Toll Program. Only passenger vehicles, registered vanpools, and buses are allowed in the I-275 Express Lanes.
In addition, a new 12-foot-wide, barrier-separated shared-use path opened to pedestrians and cyclists along the north side of the new Howard Frankland Bridge at sunrise. The nearly seven-mile shared-use path features four shaded, sail-adorned overlooks for users to rest and enjoy views overlooking Old Tampa Bay.
Access to the bridge’s shared-use path is available every day from sunrise to sunset from the connection points located at the north end of 4th Street in St. Petersburg and the south end of Reo Street in Tampa. Additional future connections from Ulmerton Road and 4th Street North in St. Petersburg, as well as Reo Street in Tampa, are being constructed under separate active construction projects.
Motorists are reminded to obey the newly posted speed limit of 65 MPH (effective 8/22/26) across the Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) and should slow down and remain alert, as the speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH on either side of the bridge due to active construction work zones.
In 2025, the FDOT opened the new southbound I-275 (Howard Frankland Bridge) to traffic. The 1990s Howard Frankland Bridge (originally connecting Tampa to St. Petersburg) was converted to carry northbound traffic, while the original 1960s bridge was removed.
Contact Information
-
Project Information
- Name:
- Maricelle Venegas
- Phone:
- 813-975-6204
- Email:
- Maricelle.Venegas@dot.state.fl.us
-
Media Contact
- Name:
- Kris Carson
- Phone:
- 813-975-6060
- Email:
- Kristen.Carson@dot.state.fl.us
Closures
- There are no closures at this time.