ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A traffic shift on the Howard Frankland Bridge could cause delays. Drivers heading northbound on Interstate-275 will notice the new pattern as they make their way from Pinellas County to Hillsborough County.

Northbound motorists will now travel on the portion of the bridge build in the 1990s, permanently. The span was recently renewed. The newly constructed southbound lanes of the bridge opened in March.

Leaders with the Florida Department of Transportation say the $865 million project is an effort to prepare for the region’s future growth and address issues drivers deal with on a daily basis.

“It’s a hugely important project for the Tampa Bay region,” Austin Petersen said. “Obviously, the Howard Frankland Bridge is one of our main ways across the bay. For people who are just traveling or for goods that are getting across to Pinellas and Hillsborough, it’s an important thoroughfare.”

According to FDOT, the new traffic shift allows workers to start the next phase of the project including completion of two future express lanes in each direction as well as recreational features. Petersen says, “Once we’re fully complete, the new bridge has a shared use path going across it that’s got a set of features, as well, some lookout points. So, it’ll be a nice walking path that will connect down into the Westshore area once all that is complete.”

The next phase of the project also includes the demolition of the bridge span constructed in the 1960s. The original bridge is expected to be removed by spring 2026.