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Up to Speed: Crews make progress on building new Howard Frankland Bridge

Replacing Tampa Bay’s most-traveled bridge involves long hours and a lot of work.

TAMPA, Fla. — The new Howard Frankland Bridge will be spectacular to drive over once it's completed in four years. Something not many people know is that there are more than 200 people working on that bridge with a goal of getting the work done on time.

FDOT Resident Engineer Greg Deese says it involves long hours and dangerous work.

"It depends on the crew, but a 12-hour shift is not uncommon," Deese said.

The crews begin and end their shifts by getting on and off boats. Wearing a life jacket is a requirement because they spend a majority of their day working on barges.

Massive cranes are used to carry concrete and hammer cement pilings deep into the floor of Tampa Bay, forming the base of the new bridge more than 132,000 people drive across each day.

Forty-three miles worth of pilings make up the base of the bridge. Each is equipped with sensors to make sure they’re secure.

Next, crews will work on building the bridge deck.

Safety is top priority. That means crews keep their eyes on the weather, too. Be it an afternoon thunderstorm or a hurricane, both mean project delays.

Weather permitting, the project is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

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