Major Changes Coming To I-75 In Hillsborough County
There are some major changes coming to I-75 in Hillsborough County. The Florida Department of Transportation announced that they plan to add a lane to both the southbound and the northbound directions of I-75. This will be between the Tampa Bypass Canal and Fowler Avenue. So, here is what is going to be done, the bridges over the canal and Harney Road will be widened. Additionally, the bridge structures that go over 301 will be replaced. I know what you’re thinking, this will take years to complete and it’s just gonna be a headache while they’re doing construction. Well, it might be a headache while they’re doing construction, but when the project is done it will be much nicer. FDOT says construction is anticipated to begin in 2024. Finally, there will be detours, but we won’t know what they will be until the project gets under construction.
Other Road Construction Projects Going On
Malfunction Junction in Tampa will get a new flyover bridge from I-275 southbound to I-4 eastbound will be coming. The bad news is that crews will be working on this new flyover bridge through 2027. Work will begin on the bridge beginning in 2024. So, be prepared for extra construction starting soon. In addition to the flyover ramp, the FDOT will also be widening lanes on I-275 both northbound and southbound. Those new lanes will go all the way north to Hanna Avenue.
FDOT officials said by the end of 2025, the new Howard Frankland Bridge will be complete and we can start driving over it. The new bridge will consist of eight lanes; four general use lanes, (Tampa to St. Petersburg) and four Express lanes.
Two lanes from the St. Petersburg side toward Tampa, two lanes from the Tampa side toward St. Petersburg. In addition, a bicycle/pedestrian pathway separated from the roadway will is also included.
What a Completed Howard Frankland Bridge Will Look Like
Updated June 2024
As you drive over the Howard Frankland Bridge, you see progress, but it’s still pretty tough to imagine what all of this work is going to look like upon completion. Work won’t finish until late 2025 according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The cost is expected to be about $865 million. Not patient enough to wait until 2025 to see what this is all going to look like? Nor am I. Here’s a sneak preview from artist renditions shared by the Florida Department of Transportation.
A new southbound/westbound (from Tampa to St. Pete) bridge is what you see currently being built north of the current southbound/westbound bridge. It’ll have 8 lanes – 4 for general use and 4 express lanes. There’s a bike and pedestrian path in the plan. The bridge we use now to go from Tampa to St. Pete will become the new northbound/eastbound part of 275 once the new bridge is ready. The bridge we use to go from St. Pete to Tampa will be taken down.
Bridge Progress
As of May 2024:
– 100% of pilings have been driven.
– 99% of bridge footings have been completed.
– 98% of bridge columns have been completed.
– 92% of bridge caps have been completed.
– 77% of the bridge superstructure beams have been placed.
– 71% of bridge decks placed.
Not only are they making major progress on the structure of the bridge. But they have also finally repaved the 2 right lanes by the Martin Luther King JR exit. I’d imagine that the nice weather and lack of rain has helped them get some of this progress completed.
Many complain that this won’t help with our traffic flow, especially with the malfunction junction exit going into the Veteran’s/Clearwater. Well, don’t worry. The FDOT is on that too, as apart of the Westshore Interchange reconstruction project.
Here’s what a completed Howard Frankland Bridge will look like plus some updated photos from May 2024
Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.
