St. Pete bridge project completes after four years
May 20, 2025 - A long-awaited, much-maligned project to replace the 9th Street South (Dr. MLK Jr. St.) bridge is nearing completion in St. Petersburg. City officials announced Tuesday that all lanes are now open, although "temporary nighttime closures will still occur over the next couple of months as crews wrap up final details." The Florida Department of Transportation awarded American Empire Builders the $6 million contract in April 2021. The Miami-based company subsequently defaulted on that and four other bridge projects in Pinellas County.