If you've lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than a week, you know the Howard Frankland isn't just a bridge. It’s a 5.8-mile barometer for your mental health. Lately, the "Howard Frankland Bridge closed" alerts have been hitting phones like clockwork, leaving a quarter-million daily commuters wondering if they’ll ever see a day without orange cones.
Honestly, the situation right now is a mess of progress and tragedy.
Just this past week, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) had to pivot hard. A major closure of all southbound lanes was scheduled for Tuesday night, January 13, 2026. It didn't happen. The reason wasn't weather or a supply chain hiccup—it was a deadly crash that claimed the life of a driver from Georgia and injured several construction workers within the active work zone.
Safety stands still when things like that happen. FDOT postponed the overhead signage work indefinitely while troopers investigated the scene. It’s a grim reminder that these "minor inconveniences" we vent about on social media involve real people standing inches away from 70-mph traffic.
Why the Howard Frankland Bridge keeps closing
Basically, we are in the "home stretch" of a massive $973.4 million overhaul. If that number sounds higher than what you remember, you’re right. The price tag recently jumped by about $108 million.
Blame the hurricanes.
Between the surges from Helene and the wind-whipping of Milton in late 2024, the timeline and the budget took a beating. Despite the setbacks, the goal remains the same: a 100-year bridge that actually functions. We aren't just getting more asphalt; we're getting a complete rethink of how the Bay connects.
The current state of the spans
Right now, the bridge is in a weird "in-between" phase.
- Southbound Traffic: Currently using the brand-new bridge that opened back in March 2025.
- Northbound Traffic: Using the "old" southbound bridge (the one built in 1990) while the original 1960s span is being systematically dismantled.
- Demolition Status: As of mid-January 2026, about 75% of the 1960s-era bridge is gone.
If you look out the window while carpooling (don't do this if you're driving), you can see the skeleton of the old structure slowly disappearing into the Gulf.
Upcoming closures: What to watch for
Even though the big Tuesday closure was scrapped, don't get comfortable. FDOT has released a fresh schedule for the week of January 18 through January 24, 2026.
Nightly lane closures are back on the menu.
Expect the hammers to start dropping around 9 p.m. and the lanes to stay restricted until roughly 6 a.m. the following morning. These aren't full closures usually, but they narrow the gauntlet significantly. If you are coming from Tampa toward St. Pete, you're going to see shifts near the Roosevelt Boulevard (Exit 30) area.
They are moving the toll express lane alignment again. It’s shifting closer to the median and getting shortened by nearly a mile as widening continues. It’s a constant shell game of lane markers.
Alternatives when the bridge is a parking lot
When the "Howard Frankland Bridge closed" sign flashes on the overhead LED, you’ve basically got three choices, and none of them are fun during rush hour:
- The Courtney Campbell (SR 60): Better scenery, but if the Howard Frankland is closed, the Courtney Campbell usually turns into a slow-moving parade within 20 minutes.
- Gandy Bridge (US 92): The classic backup. Good for getting to South Tampa, but a nightmare if you need to be in Westshore.
- Bayside Bridge: Primarily for those coming from North Pinellas, but it gets choked up the second traffic diverts from I-275.
The "Spring 2026" Promise
We are months away from the finish line. FDOT is still claiming a "Spring 2026" completion date for the main components, though "Summer 2026" is the date floating around for the final cleanup and the removal of the last 1960s debris.
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What does "finished" actually look like?
It’s eight lanes total. Four general-use lanes and four express lanes (two in each direction). Plus, there’s a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. It sounds crazy to bike across the Bay, but the path will be separated from the cars by a substantial barrier.
The complexity of this project is why the bridge keeps closing. They aren't just pouring concrete; they are weaving a new express lane system into the existing Westshore and Gateway interchanges. It’s like trying to perform heart surgery while the patient is running a marathon.
Actionable steps for the next 7 days
If you have to commute between Hillsborough and Pinellas this week, do these three things to keep your sanity:
- Check FL511 before you leave the house. Not 15 minutes before, but right as you're putting your shoes on. Things change fast in construction zones.
- Watch the 4th Street North and Roosevelt merges. These are the current "hot zones" for lane shifts. The lane you used yesterday might be a "must exit" lane today.
- Give the crews space. After the tragedy on January 12, Florida Highway Patrol is out in force. Speeding through the work zone right now is a guaranteed way to get a massive ticket—or worse.
The Howard Frankland is a beast, but it’s a necessary one. We are paying the "traffic tax" now so that by this time next year, the "Howard Frankland Bridge closed" alerts are hopefully a thing of the past.