TAMPA, Fla. - As construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge continues, some are asking what will happen to the old one.

In fact, one Tampa man is hoping to save the bridge from planned demolition.

“As tax payers, we want our government to do the right thing,” said Neil Consentino, an Air Force veteran and longtime Tampa resident.

Cosentino is putting together a think tank to come up with a plan to save the Howard Frankland once the new bridge is open.

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is planning for the northbound bridge to be demolished. The southbound bridge will then be flipped northbound. The new bridge being built now will have four new lanes for southbound, plus two toll lanes in either direction to help with congestion.

“This is public property that they’re going to destroy and we have much better reason not to destroy it,” Cosentino said.

He has lots of ideas of what could be done with the old bridge.

“Fishing competition. Food festivals. Art. Music. Walking. It’s 60 feet wide. That’s a big area!” Cosentino said. He also added other ideas, like placing solar panels along the old bridge to generate new energy for the area.

So is saving the bridge possible? We asked FDOT.

In short, they don’t support that idea.

FDOT says the old bridge, built in 1959, needs a lot of maintenance due to salt water corrosion.

They also say the old bridge would present a hazard to the new one during a hurricane.

In addition, FDOT says current construction would have to be modified if there is to be no demolition. That would make the project cost more.

But Neil disagrees. He says he was once part of efforts to save the old Gandy Bridge, which became the Friendship Trail Bridge for several years before it was later demolished.

He feels the old Howard Frankland Bridge could last longer if cars aren’t crossing it every day.

“There’s only two things they know how to do. Destroy things and build things. They’re not innovative,” Cosentino said.

The $865 million project is expected to be done in 2025. The new bridge will also include a pedestrian and bike trail.