Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge over Clearwater Bay
Clearwater, Florida
The Memorial Causeway connects downtown Clearwater with Clearwater Beach and is heavily used by motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. At the downtown end the Causeway starts with a 2300' long bridge over Clearwater Bay. Clearwater's City Hall, Library and Convention Center overlook the site, which also has valued views to the sunset and Clearwater Beach. The new bridge replaced a bascule span that backed traffic into downtown Clearwater when open. The community wanted a new high level fixed bridge that would continue Clearwater's tradition of high quality civic architecture and support the redevelopment of the downtown.
The new bridge uses 330' long concrete box girders to span the important view corridors. Thin, tapered piers keep the view to Clearwater Beach and the sunset open and attractive. Wide sidewalks on both sides of the bridge include overlooks for enjoying the views out to the Gulf of Mexico and back to the downtown. The downtown abutment includes a spiral ramp to get users down to waterfront level. The graceful piers and bright underside make the waterfront adjacent to the bridge attractive for redevelopment. Two new condominium buildings are under construction and a new marina is being planned there. Mr. Gottemoeller was aesthetic and urban design consultant for the new bridge.
The bridge was completed in 2004 at a cost of $48.6 million.
"Just wanted you to know how much I've enjoyed looking at it and using it on an almost daily basis. It's sooo (sic) beautiful and such a key element in the enhancement program for downtown Clearwater."
Daniel Swanson, Resident