July 2022
Howard Frankland Bridge Construction - July 2022
Tampa, FL - The joint venture of Archer Western Construction and Traylor Bros., Inc. continues progress on the Howard Frankland Bridge spanning across Old Tampa Bay. According to FDOT officials in early July 2022, the following quantities have been achieved on the project:
- About half of the 3,0000 concrete piles for the bridge foundations have been driven.
- 205 of the 549 bridge footings have been completed.
- 200 of the 549 bridge columns have been completed.
- 64 of the 226 bridge pier caps have been completed.
- Crews began placing concrete girders in late May; over 1,700 beams will be placed across the project.
The new three-mile bridge is being constructed to the north of the current southbound interstate bridge. With BCC Engineering as the lead engineer, the bridge design features four southbound general purpose lanes, two southbound express lanes, two northbound express lanes, as well as a shared use path and accommodations for transportation via light rail system.
The existing southbound bridge will be converted to the new northbound I-275. When complete, the current northbound bridge will be removed. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2020 with completion in 2026.
The newly built connection will add capacity and mobility to account for future growth of the Tampa/St. Pete region and will allow for improved emergency management scenarios and hurricane evacuations.