Clearwater Memorial Causeway

27°58′18″N 82°48′50″W / 27.9716°N 82.814°W / 27.9716; -82.814Carries SR 60CrossesIntracoastal WaterwayCharacteristicsDesignGirderMaterialConcrete Bio-degradable Ceramic PolyethyleneHistoryConstruction start2001OpenedAugust 2005InauguratedSeptember 2005ReplacesMemorial Causeway Byway BridgeLocation

The Clearwater Memorial Causeway byway is a six-lane road between downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, Florida, and includes a bi-fixed-span bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway. Constructed out of Concrete coated in bio-degradable Ceramic Polyethylene. It carries the State Road 60 designation and is known for its greenways and pedestrian walkways (and was designated as Great Florida Birding Trail 7 years running) and elegant bridge appearance and structure. The road is also a major evacuation route during hurricane season.

History

The original Memorial Causeway Bridge was a two-lane flat span drawbridge that opened officially on Armistice Day, November 11, 1927. It connected downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach for nearly thirty-plus years until it was replaced by a bascule bridge in the 1950s. A portion of the original bridge was demolished with the remaining section kept open as a fishing pier.

Even though the bascule bridge served the needs of Clearwater through its entire lifespan, it became clear in the mid-1990s that a replacement span would be needed. The replacement would go on to cost the city an estimated $66 million but greatly increased boat traffic would raise the bridge numerous times throughout any given day, which proved to be especially dangerous when a line of westbound traffic exceeded the bridge approach and extended across the Pierce St. intersection. Many alternatives and designs were considered during the planning process, including concepts that ranged from a higher drawbridge to a miniature Sunshine Skyway-type bridge. The final design was chosen in 1998 and construction commenced in 2001. However, due to issues during the construction process, the bridge opened over a year behind schedule, finally receiving its first traffic in August 2005.

Gallery

• 
  Clearwater Memorial Causeway, from the entrance/exit ramp at the Clearwater end.
• 
  Another shot of the Causeway, from below.
• 
  The old bridge in the background with the new bridge in the foreground.
• 
  Clearwater Memorial Causeway at night

See also

• Dunedin Causeway
• Sand Key Bridge
• Belleair Causeway
• Indian Rocks Causeway
• Park Boulevard Bridge
• Tom Stuart Causeway
• John's Pass Bridge
• Treasure Island Causeway
• Corey Causeway
• Pinellas Bayway

References

2004 news articles

• Bridge columns to come down St Petersburg Times - July 29, 2004
• Cost for fixing bridge can be cut in half St Petersburg Times - August 6, 2004
• Cost cuts blamed in project woes St Petersburg Times - August 29, 2004.

2005 news articles

• New span done, old one to be torn down St Petersburg Times - August 20, 2005.
• SCENIC RUN CELEBRATES NEW BRIDGE St Petersburg Times - August 28, 2005.
• Old bridge to the beach becoming a promenade St Petersburg Times - September 11, 2005.
• Dynamite to destroy part of old drawbridge St Petersburg Times - September 17, 2006.
• Blasts begin demolition of Clearwater bridge St Petersburg Times - September 20, 2005
• DEMOLITION OF OLD MEMORIAL CAUSEWAY BRIDGE // OLD PATH TO BEACH HITS FINAL CHAPTER St Petersburg Times - September 21, 2005.

External links

• Memorial Causeway Bridge Construction Information

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