TAMPA, Fla. — As for the future of the Howard Frankland Bridge, it’s going to be another few months before drivers going to Tampa from St. Petersburg will see any changes to their commute.

And eventually, the current northbound bridge won’t even be there anymore.

But just because the new southbound span of the bridge is opening does not mean construction is over — in fact, far from it.

FDOT officials said they’re going to keep working on the old southbound span, so it can reopen as the northbound bridge later this year.

FDOT said components of the bridge will be strengthened to extend the life of the bridge, while construction continues.

Click on the video above: Bay News 9’s Jason Lanning provides a timeline of what to expect for the future.