The Columbus Drive Bridge in West Tampa reopened this afternoon, after five months of extensive repair and renovation. The 86-year-old bridge needed a complete rehabilitation because engineers believed it had outlived its normal life span.
Ongoing work had periodically closed lanes of the Columbus Drive Bridge since May 2011. The bridge had been completely closed since Feb. 21. This complete closure was required to allow the contractor to open the bobtail swing bridge and perform replacement work on its components.
The Columbus Drive Bridge is one of only two existing bobtail swing bridges left in Florida, and was granted historic designation in 2006. The bobtail swing bridge carries traffic over the Hillsborough River, connecting West Tampa and Tampa Heights. Like the Platt Street Bridge, the Bridge will be restored to its original functionality and historical appearance upon completion. The total budget for the project is $8.75 million.
