Dunedin Causeway Bridges Project - Development and
Environment Study

Welcome...

This website has been created to keep the community informed about the study and to provide an opportunity for community input. The study began in December 2014 and is anticipated to be completed in winter 2017. A Community Kick-Off Meeting was held on March 31, 2015. Check back for updates, upcoming public meeting dates and general information. Thank you for your interest in this project!

Get Involved / Community Outreach:

The project team is interested in your ideas and concerns about the project. Opportunities for community involvement will be provided throughout the study.

 

• Public Alternatives Workshop 03-29-16
  • Public Alternatives Workshop Results
  • Video Presentation
  • Animation
• Outreach Activities - Community Outreach
• Take the Survey
  

Project Overview:

• Schedule / Timetable
• Study Process
• Project Status & FAQ
  

 

Pinellas County, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is conducting a Project Development and Environment or “PD&E” Study to evaluate the rehabilitation or replacement of the existing Dunedin Causeway Bridges. The study extends along Dunedin Causeway Boulevard from Royal Stewart Arms Parkway on Honeymoon Island to the intersection of Gary Place/Gary Circle on Ward Island. The length of the project is about two miles and includes two existing bridges. The Main “bascule” or movable bridge connects Ward Island to Dunedin Causeway. The Tide Relief Bridge is a fixed bridge which connects Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island. 

 

The project will focus on improvements to the two bridges. There are no improvements planned for the Dunedin Causeway beaches or recreation areas.  Minor roadway improvements will be needed to transition the existing roadway to the roadway on the replacement bridges, if the study determines that bridge replacement is the best alternative for one or both of the bridges.

Need for Improvements:

Both bridges were constructed in 1963 and are considered “functionally obsolete” because of their narrow width. There are no shoulders on the bridges, and the sidewalks on the north side are only 3 ½ foot wide. The multi-use path on the south side of the bridge is only 6 feet wide. Both the Main and Tide Relief bridges do not meet current engineering standards for resisting damage from high waves during significant storms and vessel impact. Ongoing maintenance and repair of the Main (bascule) Bridge machinery also affects reliability and results in traffic delays. Major rehabilitation or replacement of both bridges is needed to keep the bridges open and the Main (bascule) Bridge operating efficiently.

  Alternatives to be evaluated – Tide Relief Bridge:

• No Build
• Rehabilitation of the Existing Bridge
• Replacement with a New Two Lane Fixed Bridge
• Additional Information about Replacement Alternatives
  for the Tide Relief Bridge:
  • No new travel lanes are proposed.
  • A replacement bridge would have a slightly higher vertical clearance than the existing bridge.
  • Partial shifts to the alignment, north and south, in addition to replacing the bridge on the existing alignment, will be evaluated.
  • The “No-Build” alternative includes only routine maintenance to keep the bridge open to traffic until safety issues would require it to be closed. Evaluation of future improvements would occur at a later date.  Evaluation of this alternative is required by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines.

 Alternatives to be evaluated – Main (Bascule) Bridge:

• No Build
• Rehabilitation of the Existing Bridge
• Replacement with a New Fixed Bridge or Bascule Bridge
• Vertical Alignment Options:
  • Low-Level Bascule Bridge (Minimum Vertical Clearance - 21 feet, same as existing bridge)
  • Mid-Level Bascule Bridge (Vertical Clearance to be determined)
  • High-level Fixed Bridge (Minimum Vertical Clearance - 65 feet)
• Additional Information about Replacement Alternatives -Main Bascule Bridge:
  • No additional travel lanes are proposed. 
  • Alignments to the north side and south side of the existing bridge will be evaluated.
  • Replacement on the existing alignment with construction of a temporary bridge to maintain vehicle and pedestrian/bicycle traffic during construction will also be considered.
  • The “No-Build” alternative includes only routine maintenance to keep the bridge open to traffic until safety issues would require it to be closed. Evaluation of future improvements would occur at a later date. Evaluation of this alternative is required by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines.

 

The selected alternative must meet the transportation needs of the community - but all reasonable measures must be taken to minimize impacts to the social, cultural, physical and natural environment. Input from the community and other stakeholders are an important factor in selection of a suitable alternative. The study will provide many opportunities for community input and involvement. 

 

Please review the study process for more information.