Pinellas County and the state Department of Transportation want to talk to residents about a study on the future of the Dunedin Causeway bridges.

DUNEDIN – Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Transportation are conducting a project development and environment study to evaluate the rehabilitation or replacement of the existing Dunedin Causeway bridges.  An open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 31, at the Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave., to provide an opportunity for community comment during the early stages of the project development process.

The project extends from west of Royal Stewart Arms Parkway on Honeymoon Island to Gary Place/Gary Circle on Ward Island. The project focus is on improvements to the two bridges located within the project limits: the main bascule (movable) bridge, connecting Ward Island to the causeway; and the tide relief bridge, connecting the causeway to Honeymoon Island.  Improvements along the causeway beach areas will not be addressed.

The open house will provide information to all interested parties about the study process and environmental, social and engineering items that may affect potential options. A brief PowerPoint presentation will play continuously for viewing. In addition, possible aesthetic treatments for a replacement bridge, if selected as the recommended alternative, will be presented. Representatives from the project team will be available to take comments and answer questions. Community input will be considered in the development of alternatives as the study progresses.

Both bridges were built in 1963. They are considered functionally obsolete because of their narrow width. Major rehabilitation or replacement of both bridges is needed to keep the bridges open and the main bascule bridge operating efficiently.  Minor roadway improvements will be needed to transition the existing road to the road on the replacement bridges, if the study determines that bridge replacement is the best alternative for one or both of the bridges.  For project information, go to pinellascounty.org or contact Nancy McKibben, project manager, at (727) 464-4812 or nmckibben@pinellascounty.org.

Dunedin | Dunedin Causeway | Honeymoon Island | Ward Island

#Dunedin #DunedinCauseway #HoneymoonIsland #WardIsland #DunedinCausewayBridges #TBReporter