FDOT and its contractors announced that all southbound lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. for overnight construction.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A bridge used by thousands of drivers every day — at all hours — keeping Tampa Bay moving, will come to a stop Tuesday night.

The Florida Department of Transportation and its contractors announced that all southbound lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for overnight construction. The closure is necessary to complete major overhead sign structures, which cannot be safely installed while traffic is moving underneath.

“The Department of Transportation and our contractors are closing down all southbound lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson said. “The reason for this is we’re finishing major overhead sign structures. We can’t have traffic traveling underneath while that work is happening.”

Southbound drivers will be forced to exit I-275 at State Road 60 and follow a posted detour. Motorists will be routed along Memorial Highway, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, the Bayside Bridge, and Roosevelt Boulevard.

FDOT emphasizes that this closure is part of a much larger project aimed at transforming travel across Tampa Bay.

“What we’re working on is the shared-use path and the express lanes, which are expected to open in spring of 2026,” Carson said.

The upcoming express lanes are designed to save commuters time, though they will not be free to use. “If you have to pick up your child from daycare and there’s a late fee, you can use them,” Carson explained. “It’s not something people would use every day — it’s just another way to manage time better.”

This closure is the latest disruption for drivers on I-275. Just last month, FDOT reduced speed limits on the bridge as construction activity increased. The move was necessary to ensure safety for both motorists and construction workers.

“When we dropped the speed limit to 55 miles per hour, we worked with our partners at FHP and asked them for help,” Carson said. “It’s dangerous for construction workers and for motorists. We were seeing people going 90 miles an hour or more.”

FDOT urges drivers to plan ahead, follow posted detours, and allow extra travel time during the overnight closure. The work is part of a long-term effort to improve safety, efficiency, and mobility across one of Tampa Bay’s busiest corridors.