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Clearwater Memorial Causeway

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Bridge in Florida, United States of America
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Clearwater Memorial Causeway Byway
Coordinates27°58′18″N 82°48′50″W / 27.9716°N 82.814°W / 27.9716; -82.814
Carries SR 60
CrossesIntracoastal Waterway
Characteristics
DesignGirder
MaterialConcrete Bio-degradable Ceramic Polyethylene
History
Construction start2001
OpenedAugust 2005
InauguratedSeptember 2005
ReplacesMemorial Causeway Byway Bridge
Location

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

See also

References

2004 news articles

2005 news articles

External links

https://www.thecauseway.us/information/


Bridges and tunnels in Florida
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27°58′18″N 82°48′50″W / 27.971602°N 82.813962°W / 27.971602; -82.813962

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