The Howard Frankland bridge is the most traveled bridge connecting Pinellas County and Tampa.

The northbound side of the structure was built in 1959 and soon will reach the end of its serviceable life.

The Department of Transportation is planning to rebuild that part of the bridge within five years but first wants to hear from the public about the best way to proceed.

"It is a major project," DOT spokesperson Kris Carson said. "They (the public) will give us all kinds comments whether they prefer day work, night work, in terms of transit options."

The first of two public hearings is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) office at 3201 Scherer Drive in St. Petersburg. The second meeting is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Tampa Marriott Westshore at 1001 N. Westshore Boulevard.

Transit options for the project include a train or high-speed rail line, toll-enforced managed lanes or a bus-only lane.

DOT officials say no major traffic impact is expected as construction of the new bridge happens.

"We would probably have to shift traffic a little bit, but we can still keep that bridge open," Carson said. "On the eastbound or northbound span."

Officials with Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are working to agree on transit options and a bridge design.

Because the bridge impacts both sides of the bay, officials on both sides are making sure long term plans fit into the bigger DOT picture.

And speaking of long term, the southbound side of the bridge has a life expectancy until 2038.