Draw Bridge Ahead - Prepare to Stop When Flashing!

01/01/08

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Constructed in 1963, the Dunedin Causeway connects Honeymoon Island with Dunedin.  The Dunedin Causeway is owned and maintained by Pinellas County as well as three other drawbridges, the Belleair Causeway, the Park Blvd. Bridge and the Beckett Bridge.

On Honeymoon Island sits two condominium high rises; the majority of the island is part of the Honeymoon Island State Park which offers pristine beaches and a connection via ferry to nearby Caladesi Island State Park.  Both state parks make a nice destination for a day trip, whether you like the beach or want to appreciate the nature of Caladesi Island.  After all, Honeymoon Island and Ft. DeSoto Park are two pristine beaches where you don't have these towering high rise condominiums altering your view.

For boaters headed north on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, this is the last drawbridge boaters have to encounter before headed out into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  This is the beginning of what is referred to as the "missing link" where boaters used to the calmer waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway are subjected to the extreme conditions of the open gulf.  However, there are some harbors along the way, especially Tarpon Springs northward.  The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway picks up again in the Florida panhandle somewhere near Apalachicola.

More recently access to the Honeymoon Island State Park was enhanced with a spur extension of the Pinellas Trail, a walking trail on an old railroad bed running the length of Pinellas County from downtown Tarpon Springs to (coming soon) downtown St. Petersburg.  The sidewalk on the south side of the Dunedin Causeway was widened and the section over the drawbridge is improved without the grid deck on the walkway.

As the Dunedin Causeway is not a heavily opened bridge, the drawbridge opens on demand.

Dunedin Causeway Photos

Looking south towards Clearwater Harbor

This is on the beach lining the south side of the Dunedin Causeway.

On the Pinellas Trail spur headed east

In the background you can see the drawbridge traffic signal as we approach the center movable section.

Closeup of the drawbridge traffic signal

The drawbridge traffic signal turns red when the bridge has to be opened. This is looking east on the Dunedin Causeway.

Drawbridge gate

Standard railroad crossing drawbridge gates come down when the bridge has to be opened, along with the red lights on top of the gate.

Fender system

Here is the fender system that protects the Dunedin Causeway's movable bridge components from errant boaters. Notice the clearance gauge and the instruction to call the bridge tender on marine VHF Channel 9. As with all bridge fenders, fishing from them is absolutely forbidden.

Walkway on the movable span

Notice the smooth surface for pedestrians and bicyclists as you cross the center movable span of the Dunedin Causeway.

Steel grid deck and bridge tender's house

Notice the street level the bridge tender's house is located and the blue color of the steel grid deck which blends in with the water below.

Keep off when bridge opens

Lettering stenciled on the sidewalk itself along with a solid yellow line in the foreground warns pedestrians and bicyclists to not proceed beyond the yellow line when the bridge opens. Besides, it's dangerous.

Looking north towards the Gulf of Mexico

Here you can see two small islands as you head north on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway as the Gulf of Mexico comes into view after so many barrier islands.

Down the hill we go

Looking east on the Dunedin Causeway and Pinellas Trail spur headed into Dunedin. Downtown Dunedin is reached by US Alt. 19 south for motorists or on the mainline Pinellas Trail south for pedestrians and bicyclists.

East on the Pinellas Trail spur

This wide sidewalk pavement will adjoin the Dunedin Causeway from this point to US Alt. 19, where the mainline Pinellas Trail is located.

Year of construction

1963 is the year inscribed on the railing of the Dunedin Causeway drawbridge. This is looking west.

Under the Dunedin Causeway

Notice the piling bents that support the drawbridge. In the foreground are steel piling jackets used when repairs took place.

Side view of the Dunedin Causeway

Here is a great side view of the Dunedin Causeway looking east. This area is a great fishing spot.

Bridge over the relief channel

This is looking east on the first bridge of the Dunedin Causeway after you leave Honeymoon Island State Park. Like the Clearwater Memorial Causeway and the Belleair Causeway, this bridge is a fixed low level bridge crossing a relief channel.

Unusual side road warning sign

The side road provides access to the beach along the Dunedin Causeway and reminds motorists that the Pinellas Trail spur must be crossed to get to the beach.

Draw Bridge Ahead with warning beacon

One of the two Draw Bridge Ahead warning signs with the beacon on top, which flashes when the bridge opens and traffic has to stop.

South to Clearwater Memorial Causeway

Drawbridges Home

North to Beckett Bridge

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This site was last updated 01/01/08