TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the completion of the Howard Frankland Bridge replacement and the beginning of construction on the I-275 Express Expansion. These projects represent a state investment exceeding $1.3 billion.
The governor emphasized that these initiatives, part of the state’s Moving Florida Forward program, are designed to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance hurricane evacuation routes, and improve overall mobility in the region.
The replacement of the Howard Frankland Bridge, which is the largest transportation project ever completed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in District 7, opened to traffic earlier this summer. This new bridge increases capacity by 50% and connects directly to the newly completed Gateway Expressway and I-275 Express project. It has also been engineered with reinforced structures to better withstand hurricanes.
Additionally, DeSantis celebrated the groundbreaking of the I-275 expansion in Pinellas County. This project will widen the interstate, add express lanes, and integrate with the new Howard Frankland Bridge. The FDOT estimates that the expansion could reduce travel delays by as much as 85%, while also contributing $1.4 billion in economic value to the region. Officials noted that the work is being completed 15 years ahead of the original schedule.
“Governor DeSantis’s Moving Florida Forward Initiative is transforming Tampa Bay’s transportation system and connecting communities,” stated FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue. “I’m proud of our FDOT team for quickly demolishing the old Howard Frankland Bridge and commencing the essential expansion of I-275.”
Launched in 2023, the Moving Florida Forward program is fast-tracking over 20 major congestion-relief projects across the state. State leaders have committed more than $68 billion to transportation improvements over the next five years to keep pace with population growth, tourism, and business demands.
