Howard Frankland Bridge Closure Set

Written by City Beat Correspondent Naveah Ryder

The northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will close overnight Tuesday as construction continues on the region’s major interstate crossing.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the closure is necessary to complete overhead installation work tied to the ongoing replacement and expansion of the southbound span of Interstate 275 between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize one of the busiest transportation corridors in the Tampa Bay region.

The closure will affect northbound traffic only and is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. Tuesday, continuing through 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. During that time, drivers heading north toward the bridge will be required to exit the interstate at Gandy Boulevard (Exit 28) and follow a designated detour route before reconnecting with I-275.

Transportation officials say electronic message boards and temporary signage will be placed along the interstate and surrounding roadways to help guide drivers through the detour. Motorists are encouraged to pay close attention to posted instructions and allow additional travel time during the overnight construction window.

Several alternate routes will be available for drivers needing to cross Tampa Bay while the northbound bridge lanes are closed. Those options include the Bayside Bridge, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and the Memorial Highway. Local officials note that these routes may see increased traffic overnight as motorists adjust to the temporary closure.

The work is part of FDOT’s ongoing multi-year project to construct a new southbound span of the Howard Frankland Bridge. The initiative aims to improve safety, increase traffic capacity, and modernize the aging infrastructure that carries tens of thousands of commuters daily between Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Once completed, the new bridge will include additional travel lanes and improved structural features designed to accommodate continued population growth and heavier traffic volumes throughout the Tampa Bay area. The project is one of the largest transportation infrastructure upgrades currently underway in the region.

FDOT officials emphasize that the temporary overnight closure is necessary to allow crews to safely install overhead components associated with the new bridge structure. Performing the work during late-night hours is intended to minimize disruption to daytime commuters.

Drivers traveling southbound on I-275 from Tampa toward St. Petersburg will not be affected by the closure, according to transportation officials. Only the northbound side of the interstate approaching the bridge will be impacted during the scheduled work period.

Motorists planning to travel through the area Tuesday night are advised to check traffic updates, consider alternate routes, and allow additional time to reach their destinations. Officials say short-term congestion may occur as traffic diverts off the interstate during the overnight construction window.