Demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge is officially scheduled for mid-July, according to a permit filed by the Florida Department of Transportation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The northbound span, originally built for $16 million, will be torn down after traffic is shifted to the bridge constructed in the 1990s, which had previously served southbound drivers. That bridge, in turn, was vacated earlier this year when the newly constructed span opened.

The original bridge, which earned the nickname “Howard Frankenstein Bridge” due to early structural issues, was named after Tampa businessman Howard Frankland, who championed the idea of its construction.

The new span includes a 12-foot pedestrian and bike path slated to open in spring 2026. Express lanes are expected to open in early 2025.

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(Image credit: FDOT)

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