A new plan for the Howard Frankland Bridge calls for more lanes created and a bicycle and pedestrian path.
- FDOT introduces new plan for Howard Frankland Bridge
- Northbound lanes would be torn down.
- New southbound lanes would be built with express lanes in both directions
And it could be in place for drivers by 2024.
Plans for a new bridge have been batted around for several years. The more recent plan failed. But on Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced an even bolder plan.
The northbound side of the bridge, which travels from St. Petersburg to Tampa, was built in the early 1960s and will be torn down.
The southbound lanes will be expanded from what is now a 4-lane bridge to an 8-lane bridge. Six lanes for traffic, with two express lanes going in both directions. Plans also include a bike and pedestrian path along the southbound lanes.
FDOT officials also said the construction would leave room for light rail if it ever gets approved - and some lanes could be used for driverless cars in the future.
So what happens with the southbound side?
That span was completed in 1990 and still has life remaining.
Once the northbound side of the bridge is complete, traffic would be flipped, it would be used for people driving from St. Petersburg into Tampa.
The new bridge would then become the southside, bringing traffic from Tampa to St. Petersburg.
The price tag on the new structure would creep near $750 million.
And if the plan moves forward on schedule, construction would begin in 2020.