Florida Construction News staff writer
A major milestone in Florida’s transportation network has been reached with the completion of the new Howard Frankland Bridge and the start of construction on the I-275 Express Expansion, representing more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure investment for the region.
The new Howard Frankland Bridge, which opened to traffic earlier this summer, is the largest transportation project ever delivered in the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7. Built to increase capacity by 50 per cent, the modernized bridge is designed to withstand hurricanes and directly connects to the recently completed Gateway Expressway and I-275 Express projects.
Construction of the replacement bridge was carried out by a joint venture of Archer Western and Traylor Bros., with AtkinsRéalis serving as the construction engineering and inspection consultant.
Work is also underway on the I-275 Express Expansion in Pinellas County, a project awarded to Prince Contracting, LLC. The expansion will widen the interstate, add new express lanes and tie directly into the Howard Frankland Bridge. Once finished, travel delays are expected to drop by up to 85 per cent, while the improvements are forecast to generate more than $1.4 billion in economic value across the Tampa Bay region.
Both projects are part of Florida’s Moving Florida Forward initiative, which accelerates long-term infrastructure improvements to address congestion and support growth. Thanks to funding from the program, the I-275 expansion is being delivered 15 years ahead of its original schedule, ensuring the corridor continues to serve as a vital hurricane evacuation route.
