Howard Frankland Bridge Project
Shortlisted Firms                            Phase 1 Score
Archer Western - Traylor Bros.    16.4
Granite - Boh                                   18.8
Kiewit - Massman                           16.2
Other Phase 1 Competitors
2020 BRIJ Group                             14.8

Florida selected three joint-venture finalists to build the $814-million Howard Frankland bridge, a long causeway structure across Tampa Bay, late last month.

The competitors had an opportunity to score a possible 20 points in the first phase. A team of Granite Construction Co. and Boh Bros. had the highest Phase 1 score, 18.8. Another team, Archer Western and Traylor Bros., scored 16.4; Kiewit and Massman Constructors scored 16.2.

The Florida Dept. of Transportation will pay each of the shortlisted competitors a $1.5-million stipend.

A fourth competitor, BRIJ Group, consisting of Lane Construction Corp., Johnson Bros. Corp., WGI, Hardesty & Hanover and Volkert, failed to make the short list. It was given a Phase 1 score of only 14.8.

Phase 2 involves the technical proposal and has a potential 80 points, split about evenly between design and construction.

The project calls for construction of a 5.8-mile causeway bridge between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, for southbound and westbound traffic. The existing southbound/westbound bridge will be converted to the new northbound/eastbound I-275.

Technical proposals are due in early August and price proposals are due Oct. 8 with final award anticipated a month later, according to FDOT’s project website.