The original Howard Frankland Bridge is now on its way out.

This week, crews began the careful and lengthy process of dismantling the decades-old structure. With traffic now fully shifted to the new span, work is underway to take the old bridge apart piece by piece.

On Friday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invited Spectrum News for a final look at the bridge and a behind-the-scenes explanation of the removal process.

FDOT construction manager David Alonso said crews will start by taking down light poles before drilling into the bridge deck, segmenting it, and hauling the materials away on barges.

“It’s going to be a slow, drawn-out process over the next few months and into next year,” Alonso said. “It’ll start disappearing from the center and move outward toward both the Hillsborough and Pinellas sides.”

Drivers crossing the Bay will begin to notice changes as the old bridge gradually vanishes.

Meanwhile, crews are also putting the finishing touches on the new bridge, including the addition of express lanes and a pedestrian trail—both expected to be completed early next year.

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(Image credit: Spectrum News)

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