New I-275 express lanes and shared-use path open on Howard Frankland Bridge

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New I-275 express lanes and shared-use path open on Howard Frankland Bridge

Motorists now have a quicker way to travel between St. Pete and Tampa.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 27th, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the new northbound I-275 express lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge, along with a new pedestrian and bicycle trail.

The express lanes and trail are major components of the $972.5 million bridge replacement and improvement project, which began in 2020.

The new express lanes extend from 4th Street North in St. Petersburg to just north of the bridge in Tampa.

Running in the median of I-275, the lanes are separated from general traffic by barrier walls and flexible delineator poles.

FDOT contractors are expected to open the southbound express lanes over the next several nights, weather permitting.

The express lanes are currently toll-free during the ongoing testing phase. Once testing is complete, tolls will be collected electronically 24/7 through SunPass or other Florida-compatible transponders. Cash and TOLL-BY-PLATE will not be accepted.

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Hubbard’s Marina approved to run ferry between downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa

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Hubbard’s Marina approved to run ferry between downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa

The Cross Bay Ferry is getting a new name, a new operator, a new boat, and a new long-term vision for water transit in Tampa Bay.

On Wednesday, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to name Madeira Beach-based Hubbard’s Marina as the new operator for the ferry service, now called the Tampa Bay Ferry, which has connected downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa since 2016.

The decision authorizes PSTA to enter into a five-year agreement with Hubbard’s Marina, with an option to extend the contract for an additional five years.

The approval follows months of evaluation by St. Petersburg, Tampa, and local transportation agencies excited to build a ferry service that is more reliable and sustainable than the prior model, which was operated by Boston-based HMS Ferries.

Hillsborough County ended its contract with HMS Ferries earlier this year after the company proposed replacing the existing vessel with a slower boat that would have extended the one-way crossing from about 50 minutes to more than two hours.

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St. Pete explores permanent ferry dock at St. Pete Pier for service to downtown Tampa

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St. Pete explores permanent ferry dock at St. Pete Pier for service to downtown Tampa

The passenger ferry linking downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa may soon have a new home on the St. Pete Pier.

As the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) prepares to relaunch the Tampa Bay Ferry, formerly known as the Cross Bay Ferry, the city is evaluating plans to construct a permanent dock near the St. Petersburg Museum of History, according to documents obtained by St. Pete Rising.

When the ferry service began in 2016, it carried passengers on a roughly 50-minute ride from North Straub Park in downtown St. Pete to the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa.

In 2023, when the permit for the St. Pete dock expired, the St. Pete terminus was relocated to the Port of St. Petersburg, south of Albert Whitted Airport.

While the Port location kept the service operational, it’s been criticized by riders and city officials for being out of sight and inconvenient compared to the original downtown stop.

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St. Pete–Tampa ferry prepares for relaunch with new operator search

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St. Pete–Tampa ferry prepares for relaunch with new operator search

After a three-month pause, daily ferry service across Tampa Bay is now one step closer to returning.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has begun a competitive procurement process to select a private operator to relaunch and manage a year-round, more frequent ferry connection between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa.

On August 5th, PSTA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit interested operators, with submissions due by Thursday, August 28th.

The new RFP follows Hillsborough County’s recent decision to terminate its contract with the previous Cross Bay Ferry operator, HMS Ferries, after the company proposed replacing the current vessel with a slower one that would extend the one-way trip from 50 minutes to more than two hours.

When the county canceled its contract with HMS, ending the Cross Bay Ferry operations on April 30th, it left $4,863,280 of unspent Federal Transit Authority (FTA) dollars on the table, which can be used towards the purchase of two new ferry boats for the Tampa-to-St. Pete service.

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New 540-space parking garage brings relief to EDGE District drivers

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New 540-space parking garage brings relief to EDGE District drivers

It’s official—parking in St. Pete’s EDGE District just got easier with the opening of a new public garage on Central Avenue.

A new 540-space parking garage has debuted at 1301 Central Avenue, directly across from Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, as part of the long-awaited mixed-use development The Central, currently under construction in the heart of the EDGE District.

On Tuesday morning, representatives from Ellison Development and the City of St. Pete gathered to celebrate the opening, marking a major milestone as the first completed component of The Central. The garage addresses one of the district’s greatest needs: accessibility and parking.

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PSTA approves $4.8 million federal grant to restore Cross Bay Ferry service between St. Pete and Tampa

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PSTA approves $4.8 million federal grant to restore Cross Bay Ferry service between St. Pete and Tampa

The Cross Bay Ferry, which has linked passengers between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa since 2017, could once again sail under a new operator.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which operates the Clearwater Ferry, is now leading efforts to restore ferry service between St. Pete and Tampa after Hillsborough County recently ended its contract with HMS Ferries.

The termination came after HMS proposed replacing the current ferry with a slower vessel that would more than double one-way travel time from 50 minutes to two hours.

When the county canceled its contract with HMS, ending the Cross Bay Ferry operations on April 30th, it left $4,863,280 of unspent Federal Transit Authority (FTA) dollars on the table, which can be used towards the purchase of two new ferry boats for the Tampa-to-St. Pete service.

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New SunRunner station opens by St. Pete Pier, PSTA launches "After Dark" service

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New SunRunner station opens by St. Pete Pier, PSTA launches "After Dark" service

A new SunRunner station has opened in downtown St. Pete, aiming to better connect residents and visitors to the St. Pete Pier District and businesses along Beach Drive.

Friday morning, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), Congresswoman Kathy Castor, State Representative Lindsay Cross, St. Petersburg City Councilmembers, and others celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the new station at 150 1st Avenue North.

The 1st Avenue North station, which was completed in six months, is located near popular downtown restaurants and bars such as Who’s on First, Tequila Daisy, and Social Roost.

It's one of over 30 stops along the 10.3-mile bus rapid transit route that debuted in October 2022, linking downtown St. Petersburg to St. Pete Beach via dedicated lanes running along 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South.

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