Northbound Express Lanes, Trail Open on Howard Frankland Bridge
The lanes will open toll-free at first as FDOT finishes toll technology, and the new path will give pedestrians and cyclists a separate crossing.
- On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Transportation opened a nearly seven-mile shared-use path and northbound express lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge, connecting Tampa's Cypress Point Park to 4th Street North in St. Petersburg.
- Years of construction on the Howard Frankland Bridge Expansion project culminated today after last year's new southbound bridge opened and the original 1960s structure was demolished, with today's openings marking final milestones in the nearly $1 billion undertaking.
- Four shaded, sail-adorned overlooks dot the 12-foot-wide path spanning nearly seven miles along Old Tampa Bay, while express lanes currently operate toll-free during testing but will eventually charge drivers 50 cents via SunPass or compatible transponders 24/7.
- Northbound motorists access express lanes just north of 4th Street North and merge back into general-use lanes on the Tampa side, while FDOT contractors will open southbound lanes over the next few nights, weather dependent, as officials remind drivers to obey the 55 mph speed limit.
- FDOT resident engineer Austin Peterson said future plans include additional express lanes and shared-use path networks on the bridge's east and west ends, though the agency hasn't announced when the toll-free testing period will end or the 50-cent rate will officially take effect.
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Pinellas County Traffic Alert: New I-275 Express Lanes, Shared-Use Path Open Across Howard Frankland Bridge - Tampa Free Press
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has implemented major traffic and infrastructure changes on Interstate 275 across the new Howard Frankland Bridge, effective today, May 27, 2026. New Northbound Express Lanes Open Early this morning, FDOT opened the new northbound express lanes carrying traffic from St. Petersburg to Tampa. Location: The lanes run in the […] Pinellas County Traffic Alert: New I-275 Express Lanes, Shared-Use Path Op…
Northbound express lanes, trail open on Howard Frankland Bridge
On Wednesday, the 7-mile mixed-use trail for walkers, cyclists, and runners will open to the public, and if weather permits, so will the express lanes. This would bring relief to many residents of the Tampa Bay area who commute between Hillsborough County and Pinellas by shortening their driving time.
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