Mar 25, 2025 - News
We test drove the new Howard Frankland Bridge. Here's what to know
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Photo: Yacob Reyes/Axios
👋 Hey, Yacob here. I drove across the new Howard Frankland bridge on Monday — before it opened to traffic.
- There were almost no cars in sight, aside from a vintage Florida Department of Transportation truck.
What we're hearing: David Alonso, a construction senior project manager with FDOT, says drivers should expect a "smoother ride" on the new bridge.
- Alonso tells Axios that each side of the bridge has 10-foot shoulders, making it easier for emergency service vehicles to reach stalled cars, a common occurrence on the Howard Frankland.
Yes, but: Drivers will feel the new bridge's impact most when its express lanes open next year, allowing more cars onto Tampa Bay's busiest bridge.
Go deeper: New Howard Frankland Bridge opens. Here's what to know