Latest news with #KellieCowan
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hillsborough leaders vote to end Cross Bay Ferry service early
The Brief Cross Bay Ferry service is set to end on April 30 after a vote on Wednesday by Hillsborough County commissioners. The company that operates the ferry recently announced plans to switch to a lower vessel, leading to a contract dispute. Officials on both sides of Tampa Bay are weighing potential replacement options. TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County commissioners voted on Wednesday to end Cross Bay Ferry service several months early over a contract dispute. The backstory This was supposed to be the first year the Cross Bay Ferry would offer year-round service, but that plan recently hit a snag. Hillsborough County officials recently learned that HMS Ferries planned to switch to a much slower ferry – one that would take two hours to make each individual trip between Tampa and St. Petersburg. PREVIOUS: Cross Bay Ferry to end early over contract issues Officials in Tampa, Hillsborough County and St. Pete have said they're not onboard with that plan. Hillsborough County gave HMS, which has operated the Cross Bay Ferry since it launched in 2017, until April 3 to find a vessel that meets the contractual requirements, or the contract would be terminated effective April 30. HMS responded to the county's later, saying it's not able to provide a faster ferry and is willing to terminate the agreement early. By the numbers The ferry often sells out on weekends and for special events, and set a record last year with more than 72,000 riders. What's next As for a potential replacement, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has already been working to determine whether it can purchase and operate a ferry on its own beginning in October. That plan is still in the works. PSTA also hopes Hillsborough County will contribute several million dollars by way of an unused federal grant, but it's not clear whether that will be approved. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kellie Cowan, with additional information from previous FOX 13 News reports. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Howard Frankland Bridge will open to traffic in time for Tuesday commute. Here's what to know
The Brief The new span of the Howard Frankland Bridge will open sometime late Monday or early Tuesday, FDOT says. It will consist of eight lanes – four general use and four express lanes – plus a separate pedestrian and bike path. The new bridge's general use lanes will become the I-275 southbound lanes, and the current southbound bridge will turn into the new northbound lanes. TAMPA, Fla. - Drivers on both sides of the bay will finally get some relief, with the new Howard Frankland Bridge set to open to traffic by Tuesday morning after years of construction. The backstory The Howard Frankland Bridge was built in the 1960s and is a major connector between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Timeline The $865M project was announced in 2017, with FDOT beginning work to replace the bridge in 2020. It will officially open sometime late Monday or early Tuesday, officials say, with traffic flowing in time for the Tuesday morning commute. By the numbers The new Howard Frankland Bridge will consist of eight lanes, four general use and four express lanes – two express lanes in each direction – plus a separate pedestrian and bike path. Engineers say the new bridge is the largest in Florida in terms of total square footage. The new bridge's general use lanes will become the I-275 southbound lanes, and the current southbound bridge built in the 1990s will turn into the new northbound lanes. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What's next The entire project isn't quite done yet. Crews plan to demolish the current northbound lanes on the 1960s-era bridge in 2026. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kellie Cowan. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
