Boca Ciega Bay Inscription

This is the body of water the Corey Causeway crosses. Also notice the 150135 number; that is a Florida DOT bridge identification number.

Corey Causeway looking north

Notice how the roadway curves to the northeast as it makes its way towards South Pasadena and St. Petersburg.

Drawbridge traffic signal

Like most other drawbridges, the traffic signal is mounted on a mast arm and turns red when the bridge has to be opened.

Fender system

Notice the clearance gauge telling boaters how much clearance there is between the water line and the bridge. Additionally, boaters are reminded to keep off the fender system for safety reasons.

Bridge tender's house

Like all drawbridges, this is where the bridge tender calls it their office for a standard work shift: Opening and closing the Corey Causeway. Unlike the Pinellas Bayway and the Tierra Verde Bridge, the bridge tender's house is elevated like a tower to assure optimum view of both motorist and boater.

Drawbridge gate

This is one of the several gates on the Corey Causeway that are lowered to block motorist traffic when the bridge has to be opened. Notice the use of standard railroad crossing gates per current Florida DOT design standards.

Steel grid decking

Here is the steel grid deck as we cross the movable section of the Corey Causeway Bridge. When you drive over the steel grid deck it makes that humming noise as you go across. Look closely and you will see the part where the two individual bridge leaves open.

Looking north towards Sailboat Key

This is headed down the hill from the center movable span. Notice the drawbridge gate which is lowered after the gates that stop vehicular traffic; this prevents motorists from entering on the opposite side and encountering hazards when the bridge is opened.

Overlooking Boca Ciega Bay

You can see the third bridge of the Corey Causeway in the distance.

Year inscription

Shows that the span of Corey Causeway carrying northbound FL 693 traffic was built in 1975. The 1930's era low level drawbridge that carried northbound traffic was demolished shortly thereafter.

Entrance to Sailboat Key Condominium

Now that we are off the drawbridge part of the Corey Causeway, here is the entrance to Sailboat Key, which is private condominium residences. What I also found out was that this traffic signal will go into a special mode when the drawbridge goes up; this enables Sailboat Key residents to exit the complex without having to wait for traffic to disperse due to the drawbridge.

Another view of Sailboat Key

Here's another view of Sailboat Key as viewed from across the street. Notice that the entrance, like most condominium complexes, is protected by a guard gate (the roads in Sailboat Key are privately owned and maintained). After all, the residents of Sailboat Key I imagine pay a hefty monthly maintenance fee for the security guard working the gate, among other things.

Eastern end of the Corey Causeway

The intersection of Shore Drive/Matthews Road marks the end of the Corey Causeway. FL 693 continues northward as Pasadena Blvd. and, just after Central Avenue, 66 St N. Matthews Road also leads motorists to Palms of Pasadena Hospital and its Emergency Room entrance.

Southbound bridge inscription

This inscription denotes when the southbound Corey Causeway Bridge was constructed, 1966. Notice that the 1966 span is shorter than its 1975 counterpart.

Road leading to the old Corey Causeway

This is where the old northbound lanes of FL 693 used to be before the second span opened in 1975.

The remnants of the old Corey Causeway

Today what you see of the old Corey Causeway are the barricades and the old road.

Another view of the old Corey Causeway

This would be looking straight ahead if the old Corey Causeway was there. After the 1975 span was opened the old Corey Causeway low-level drawbridge was demolished thereafter. After all, the old Corey Causeway served its purpose since the early 1930's as a two lane bridge.

The 1966 and 1975 spans

A panoramic view of both the 1966 span in the background and the 1975 span in the foreground.

FL 693 North

The Corey Causeway carries FL 693, a state road which runs from FL 699 in St. Pete Beach to the junction of US 19 in Largo between Ulmerton Road and East Bay Drive/Roosevelt Blvd. It is known to us St. Petersburg residents as Pasadena Blvd. and 66 St N. It was formerly known as FL A19A in the early heydays. Notice the outline of the state of Florida, which is standard on each Florida state route shield.

Draw bridge ahead beacon

A smaller version of the Draw Bridge Ahead warning sign with a yellow beacon on the top. The yellow beacon operates when traffic has to stop for the bridge.

Larger draw bridge ahead sign

Notice the word "drawbridge" as one word and the sign is two lines, rather than the standard three lines, one word per line like we have seen in the previous photo.