Looking east from the Treasure Island side

Here is the new Treasure Island Causeway looking east on the pedestrian sidewalk.

Bridge Inscription

The inscription on the railing that this is the bascule bridge of the Treasure Island Causeway. The 157801 is a bridge maintenance number assigned by the Florida DOT to all bridges within the state, whether the bridge is Florida DOT owned or not.

Another view looking east

View of the westbound lanes as well as the traffic signals and gates.

Drawbridge traffic signal closeup

This is a closeup of the drawbridge traffic signal mounted expertly on a mast arm. Normally the traffic signal is green but it will turn red when the bridge has to be opened.

Closeup view of the gates

The gates extend over both eastbound and westbound lanes when the bridge has to be opened. Notice the railroad crossing style gates which are required in new drawbridge designs in Florida.

On the high section just before the movable span

Here we are looking east as we get ready to cross the movable span. Here is one major part you will not find at any other drawbridge in Pinellas County: Steel grid decking. Motorists in fact don't even know that you went across a drawbridge since you don't hear the familiar hum of the steel grid deck.

Drawbridge leaves

These concrete paved drawbridge leaves rise when the bridge has to be opened. Notice how well done the railings are and the fact that the center section is higher than the old bridge. The result: Fewer openings and less delays for motorists.

Bridge tender's house

This is the new bridge tender's house on the Treasure Island Causeway. It's elevated to assure optimum view of motorist, pedestrian and boater. Also check out the porch that encircles the bridge tender house on the top. After all, whoever works as a bridge tender at the Treasure Island Causeway has the comforts of home unlike the other drawbridges in the area.

Pedestrian gate

Like the vehicle gates, the pedestrian gate swings closed when the bridge has to be opened. It assures optimum protection for pedestrians while on the bridge, especially in the event of a bridge opening.

Center of the drawbridge

The metal plate seen in the foreground is the part where the two bridge leaves come together. Additionally, this marks the city limits between St. Petersburg and Treasure Island. With the old bridge the bridge tender's house was located in Treasure Island; now with the new bridge the bridge tender's house sits on St. Petersburg soil.

Headed down the hill

Now that we crossed the center section, we're headed down the hill to street level. This is looking east now that we are in St. Petersburg.

Another view looking east

Here is another view looking east from the pedestrian walkway. Notice how the street lights were designed in the middle of the bridge.

Nice landscaping!

I got to admit, Treasure Island did a wonderful job overall on its new bridge, especially on the St. Petersburg side. This is where the toll plaza for the old bridge once stood.

The old 1939 bridge railings

The City of Treasure Island saved a remnant of the bridge railings of the old 1939 Treasure Island Causeway. This will be a memento of old and new and will be treasured as a part of history for many years to come. Notice how artfully the bridge railings on the 1939 bridge were done.

Looking west

Here is the Treasure Island Causeway looking west towards Treasure Island. Notice how the new bridge is higher than the old bridge.

Looking over Boca Ciega Bay to the west

Here is a view of Boca Ciega Bay in the direction of Treasure Island.

Looking north over Boca Ciega Bay

Here is a view of Boca Ciega Bay looking north from the Treasure Island Causeway. You can see the homes that overlook Park Street across the water and the Seminole Bridge in the far distance.

Another view of Boca Ciega Bay looking north

Here's yet another view of Boca Ciega Bay looking north from the Treasure Island Caiuseway.

Looking west on the fixed bridge

This picture was taken in June 2006 and shows the eastern fixed bridge completed as work progresses on the drawbridge.

Work on the new drawbridge

Taken in June 2006, we see that two lanes of the new drawbridge were completed and open. That way, the old bridge could be demolished and the new bridge built in its place with minimal interruption to traffic.

On the new drawbridge under construction

This is the new drawbridge as of June 2006 with temporary gates and signals in place as work progresses on the eastbound lanes.

Looking towards Treasure Island

This is the new drawbridge looking towards Treasure Island when it was under construction in June 2006.

View of the western fixed bridge

Here is the western fixed bridge which was completed about the same time the eastern fixed bridge was done in June 2006. This is looking west as we go into downtown Treasure Island and the speed limit is reduced to 25 mph from here to Gulf Boulevard.

New bridge dedication plaque

The drawbridge of the Treasure Island Causeway is called the C. W. "Bill" Young Drawbridge, named for the Congressman who secured funding for the new replacement bridge and the ending of tolls collected on the bridge. This is located at the entrance to the bridge tender's house.

New bridge rising

You can see part of the new Treasure Island Causeway drawbridge rising to let boats pass. Notice that the deck is all concrete and no steel grid deck here.

Another view of the bridge going up

This was taken from the pedestrian safe area outside of the pedestrian gates.

All the way up!

When you stand in the pedestrian safety area the bridge towers right above you.

The twin leaves up for the boats

Here are the twin leaves of the Treasure Island Causeway fully up allowing tall mast boats to pass. Notice the door that leads to the fender system and the drawbridge pit is connected directly to the bridge tender's house making for a building like structure.

Looking skyward with the bridge

Just to give you an idea of how high the Treasure Island Causeway really is when the bridge is up.

On the way down

It's time to lower the bridge to let the motorists waiting patiently for about several minutes get across.

The bridge tender's house at night

Here's the bridge tender's house on the Treasure Island Causeway all decked out at night, especially around the Christmas holidays.

Nighttime on the Treasure Island Causeway

The boats in the distance are part of the annual Treasure Island Chrismas Boat Parade. The new Treasure Island Causeway is the best place to see the parade!