TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Maydell Drive Bridge over the Tampa bypass canal was built in 1968, connecting the Palm River area to Tampa. In 2015 the bridge was closed after an underwater inspection found the support system was unstable and structurally deficient.
Since the bridge’s closure, the thousands of drivers who used it to travel between Palm River Road and Adamo Drive have used detours including 78th Street and US-41/50th Street.
Hillsborough County says a final design for a new bridge has gotten the green light to proceed with construction, anticipated to begin in mid-2020.
The new Maydell Drive Bridge will include one northbound and one southbound lane, paved eight-foot-wide emergency lanes, and a barrier wall separating traffic from a five-foot-wide sidewalk and 10-foot-wide bicycle path.
Right now, the project timeline estimates completion in late 2022 or early 2023.
The project is estimated to cost Hillsborough County approximately $9.9 million. The county will be reimbursed approximately $3.7 million of the estimated total cost by federal funds.
Do you have questions about a road construction project in your area or something that bugs you during your commute? Contact me at mcensullo@wfla.com to tell me about it. You can also find me on Facebook at WFLAMeredyth.
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