Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge Opens to Two-Way Traffic

BELLEAIR BEACH, FL. - The Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge opened to two-way traffic on Friday, May 29. The bridge that connects the Pinellas County mainland peninsula to the barrier islands is 80 percent complete. Full completion of the project is anticipated by the end of the year.

Begun in March 2007, the $72.3 million infrastructure project has continued on time and on budget, with bridge builders facing few weather delays and only one nonstructural repair.

The full scope of work encompasses 1.5 miles of a new large span "main" bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, a small relief bridge, as well as an approaching causeway roadway in Belleair Bluffs to the east and Belleair Shore and Belleair Beach to the west. In addition, new storm drains, retaining walls, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, curbs and gutters and a widened roadway will provide safe use for the public.

Over the next five to six months, construction and demolition will continue with removal of the existing bridge structures and temporary portions of the roadway, completion of the south half of the relief bridge, building of a new boat ramp park, construction of retention and detention ponds, final grading, paving, signing and pavement markings. More than two acres of seagrass beds will be enhanced to improve water quality and the marine habitat, and along the southern shore of the causeway, a new tidal wetland will be constructed as required by federal and state environmental agencies.

The new bridges are being constructed for a 75-year service life and feature a sleek design with fewer concrete columns for extended water views. An increased bridge elevation creates an acre of land with additional parking, accommodating trailers up to 45 feet in length.

For more information including traffic advisories, visit the Belleair Beach Causeway Bridge website www.belleaircausewaybridge.com. Please note, the sidewalks will remain closed to pedestrians through project completion to maintain public safety.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites: