Clearwater Memorial Causeway

The original Memorial Causeway Bridge was a two-lane flat span that opened in the 1920s. 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. Increasing 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.

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

• 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