FDOT briefs St. Petersburg council: Howard Franklin bridge nearly complete, Skyway to go all‑electronic
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Summary
A Florida Department of Transportation administrator told the St. Petersburg council the new southbound Howard Franklin Bridge is about 98% complete, express lanes should open this spring and Skyway toll booths will be converted to all‑electronic tolling ahead of a future gantry removal project; FDOT also outlined multimodal and I‑275 improvements.
A representative from the Florida Department of Transportation updated the St. Petersburg City Council on Feb. 5 about major regional roadway projects affecting the city.
Brian Hunter, a FDOT development administrator, said the new southbound Howard Franklin Bridge is roughly 98% complete and that two new express lanes (one in each direction) should open this spring, with final project closeout expected later in the year. The demolition of the old northbound bridge is about 75% complete, Hunter added.
On the Skyway Bridge, FDOT said it will convert the tolling plaza to all‑electronic tolling in the coming months and later remove toll booth infrastructure in a separate phase (a gantry‑only system is planned for a later fiscal year). Hunter said the initial electronic conversion will coincide with resurfacing work and may take about a year to construct; the gantry removal is projected after fiscal year 2029.
Hunter also outlined a multi‑segment I‑275 capacity program. One segment (38th Avenue North to 4th Street) is under construction with an anticipated completion in 2030 and will add express lanes; another segment (375 to 38th Avenue North) is in design but unfunded for construction. FDOT described noise barrier plans and right‑of‑way work for portions of the corridor.
Local improvements: FDOT said it will build multiuse trail connections to the Howard Franklin Bridge and add pedestrian and bicycle facilities along 4th Street as part of a larger effort to make the interstate corridor more city‑friendly. Hunter cited a 23% reduction in bicycle and pedestrian crashes along a completed 4th Street median project as an outcome of combined infrastructure and public education.
Council members asked about timing, pedestrian bridge accessibility, and whether FDOT would coordinate on cemetery access for a historic site under I‑175; FDOT said some projects are unfunded and that schedules reflect funding availability and construction planning.
The presentation concluded with FDOT offering to follow up with specific neighborhood and timing details requested by council.
