TAMPA, Fla. — Since the new span of the Howard Frankland Bridge opened in March, there has been an uptick of crashes where the bridge starts in Tampa.

The curves in the roadway there have led to questions from drivers about the road design.

Incidents on that side of the bridge have also led to major delays on I-275 southbound.

“It’s very concerning,” said David Alonso, the Florida Department of Transportation construction manager for the new bridge.

Alonso says the curves were necessary when traffic moved to the new bridge.

FHP and FDOT are asking drivers to use caution in the area and not to cross solid white lines. (FDOT)

“We have to now shift everything further north to accommodate the new bridge. Part of that shifting has created some of that curvature in the roadway,” Alonso said.

He also added that looking at the road from the camera views above makes the curves seem worse than they really are to drivers on the ground. 

Still, it has become a trouble spot for drivers, something that the Florida Highway Patrol has seen as well.

Troopers say there have been 35 crashes there since the bridge opened. They are asking that drivers pay extra attention in that area.

“There are solid white lines in that curve area,” said Sgt. Steve Gaskins with FHP. “Which means you’re supposed to stay in your lane. Don’t be trying to change lanes during that curve. That’s where we’ve been seeing some crashes occur.”

If you do get in a crash there, or anywhere else, FHP says you should always try to move off the road.

“If you can move the vehicles, move them off to the shoulder. State law allows for that. You won’t get in trouble. If you can move to the shoulder, to keep those travel lanes clear, that will reduce affects down the road where traffic is stopping and we have secondary crashes behind your crash,” Gaskins said.

As for the curve, Alonso says that’s not permanent.

“That assignment is not the final alignment. So things should straighten. The curve should get a little bit smoother as we progress through construction,” Alonso said.

Troopers say there have been 35 crashes there since the bridge opened. They are asking that drivers pay extra attention in that area. (Spectrum News)

Alonso says that straightening should happen when the old southbound span reopens to become the new northbound span.

That’s expected in the next three months.

In the meantime, FDOT has put extra signs in the area to ask drivers to slow down and watch out for construction workers. There are also reminders to move crashes off to the shoulder. FHP is also patrolling for speed.