275 / Franklin Bridge and Traffic (Miami, Tampa: construction, contractors, rated)

[AkronAlan]

It's not Franklin.

[Madden2]

Traffic is so horrible in Tampa that we fly to the Bahamas for the weekend to go to the beach. I haven't been to a Florida beach in 5 years...lol...too crowded and congested!

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Madden2

Traffic is so horrible in Tampa that we fly to the Bahamas for the weekend to go to the beach. I haven't been to a Florida beach in 5 years...lol...too crowded and congested!

Plus the water here is nothing like the Islands

[Concert D Major]

Originally Posted by Madden2

Traffic is so horrible in Tampa that we fly to the Bahamas for the weekend to go to the beach. I haven't been to a Florida beach in 5 years...lol...too crowded and congested!

I needa get a job where you work.

[AkronAlan]

Originally Posted by Christian1199

Hi all,
Newer to the area. I have lived in several other states, and I'm confused by one thing here.
Hopefully someone can give me some insight!
Every major metro area has a city with "the industry."
Phoenix for example - most commute IN THE AM from Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, etc *ALL* to Downtown Phx for the "industry/downtown" jobs. Large companies, bank jobs, finance jobs, etc.
So from 7am to 10am. This is your typical "9-5" job for most people.
Then, in the afternoon, from 3pm-7pm, they ALL head *BACK* to the suburbs!
Of course traffic in AM headed TOWARD downtown, and in PM headed FROM downtown - is horrible! Stop and go! But, traffic the OPPOSITE ways often isn't too bad!

Now in this case, Tampa... Tampa has all the industry of course. Naturally, I realize people commute from Pinellas then also East of Tampa (Lakeland, Brandon) *TO* Downtown Tampa in the AM....
Howard Franklin bridge Northbound, and I-4 Westbound from Lakeland to Tampa support this...
Then, in the afternoon, people commute BACK to the suburbs.
I-275 Southbound to Pinellas, and especially I-4 Eastbound are just HORRIBLE!!!

*Now, my question is this, why (lately) has I-275 Northbound on Howard Franklin between 2-5pm, when "by my logic" virtually NOBODY should be headed into Tampa, been completey stop and go, taking a crazy amount of time to complete this journey????
Everyone getting ready for their 5pm shifts at Banks, Insurance Companies, Healthcare Companies, and major industries?? Lol, these places aren't open in the evening!!!

Is it ALWAYS going to be like this??

Many thanks for any insight as to WHY this occurs! I'm naturally curious and want answers!

There's a lot going on in St. Pete daily ... it's not just a suburb of Tampa. People commute both ways.

[mph101]

The industry in coastal Florida is tourism and retirees. The hours are flexible, many don't know where they are going and that can cause hell on the roads at any hour. This area is a service industry too. Walmart and the waffle house don't care if its Christmas or 3 AM in July.

[engineman]

It has been called the "Frankenstein" for decades for good reason.

[Hammocks Bum]

It was a Frankestein when I lived in Largo, and worked in Tampa in the late 70's, early 80's, there was one bridge and 4 lanes and at the beginning, NO barrier between W and E Traffic. Head on Collisions where the order of EVERY day and you were stuck in there for hrs with not yet a cell phone to call work, or your loved ones .

Today traffic is a BEAR, but The FRANKLAND was never any better !!! Remember that sometimes The Old Times were NOT necessarily better than today.

[dogloverinFL]

We got stuck on this bridge during our house hunting trip and it reminded us of DC traffic.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Hammocks Bum

It was a Frankestein when I lived in Largo, and worked in Tampa in the late 70's, early 80's, there was one bridge and 4 lanes and at the beginning, NO barrier between W and E Traffic. Head on Collisions where the order of EVERY day and you were stuck in there for hrs with not yet a cell phone to call work, or your loved ones .

Today traffic is a BEAR, but The FRANKLAND was never any better !!! Remember that sometimes The Old Times were NOT necessarily better than today.

It was a nitemare since the 60's. I was happy when they starting drilling the test pilings for the new bridge in 1985 since i used it a lot when i was fishing offshore back in them days.