Projects

Two functionally obsolete bridges in Pinellas County had reached the end of their design lifespan, inducing Pinellas County to ask HDR to undertake a PD&E Study and final design plans for their replacement.

The $72.2 million project is 1.6 miles long. The PD&E Study, completed in January 2005, evaluated 10 alternatives to replace the existing bascule bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, the relief bridge and improvements to the roadway approaches on the Belleair Beach Causeway. A north-shifted, high-level structure was selected as the preferred alternative for design.

Plans call for replacing the existing Clearwater Harbor Bridge and 8-span, 324-ft. low-level bridge over the Relief Channel with a 3-span, 324-ft. bridge. The Intracoastal bridge—an existing 36-span, 1,376-ft.-long-bridge with a bascule leaf at the navigation channel—will be replaced by a 3,350-foot-long, high-level bridge with a 75-ft. vertical clearance at the navigation channel. The design combines post-tensioned spliced girders, Florida Bulb-tees, and cast-in-place post-tensioned flat slab superstructures and drilled shaft substructures.

In addition to the bridge work, the project included design plans for replacing the seawalls at the Boat Ramp Park, relocation of boat slip ramps, additional parking and other amenities, including a new bait house facility. HDR also provided permitting assistance; permitting agencies included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Southwest Florida Water Management District. HDR staff also participated in a public involvement campaign.

This was a Local Agency Program (LAP) project for the construction phase; however, to assure that all construction phase LAP requirements were met, HDR coordinated with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to assure that it was designed to FDOT standards during the design phase.

Unique Features

• 324-ft.-long prestressed concrete girder relief bridge with 3 fixed spans
• 3,350-ft.-long high-level fixed-span Intracoastal bridge with post-tensioned spliced girder bridge over channel
• Extensive MSE wall treatment for intracoastal bridge approaches and sea walls at east approach
• Mitigation of wetland impacts
• Sidewalks and bike lanes
• Stormwater management system