Howard Frankland Bridge Replacement & Expansion

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 7 (in coordination with Tampa Bay Next program)

• ITS maintenance
• 7 miles of fiber optic backbone
• 18 Concrete ITS Poles
• 10 Steel ITS Poles
• 29 ITS Cabinets
• 55 Microwave Vehicle Detector Sensors
• 31 CCTV Cameras
• 29 Field Ethernet Switches
• 29 Uninterrupted Power Supplies
• 2 Emergency 50kw Generators
• 1 Road Weather Information System
• 17 Dynamic Message Signs
• 2 Complete Express Lane Toll Sites
• 9 Electric Emergency Access Gates
• Upgrades to Remote Traffic Management Center
• 227 Light Poles
• Bridge Color Changing Aesthetic Lighting

• The new Howard Frankland Bridge is “the widest bridge ever constructed in Florida” in terms of deck area.
• More than 3,000 concrete piles will support the structure (along with hundreds of piers, columns, footings, caps) in challenging marine and subsurface conditions.
• The new structure consists of many spans: e.g. 113 spans, 1726 Florida-I beams, 44 hammerhead piers for high spans, 180 multi-column piers for low spans (per design firms’ data).
• Designed to resist vessel collision forces (e.g. up to 2,000 kips) protecting against marine traffic hazards.
• The bridge includes a shared-use path / multi-use trail (pedestrian-bike) with scenic overlook elements, enhancing non-motorized connectivity and experience.
• Four scenic overlooks spaced along the span to enhance user experience for pedestrians/cyclists.
• The structure includes overhead sign structures, lighting, ITS, and tolling infrastructure to support express lane operations.

Increased Capacity & Congestion Relief

• By expanding from older narrower spans to a modern 8-lane + express lane structure, traffic flow capacity is significantly increased, reducing bottlenecks across the bay.

Improved Travel Time & Reliability

• Express lanes enable more predictable travel times for users willing to pay, even during peak periods. The general-purpose lanes benefit from reduced congestion pressure.

Safety Enhancements

• Modern geometry, better sight lines, updated structural designs, and separation of express vs general lanes reduce crash risk, weaving conflicts, and strain on older infrastructure.

Enhanced User Experience & Amenities

• Scenic overlooks, integrated lighting, aesthetics, and shared-use paths improve the experience for all users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians).

Emergency / Evacuation Resilience

• A more robust crossing ensures better reliability during hurricane evacuations or emergency situations across the bay.