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Construction of the Mandalay Pedestrian
Bridge is now complete, and the bridge that links the Memorial
Causeway to Clearwater Beach is open for public use. The bridge
provides safe, scenic access for people who wish to walk, jog, or
bike to or from the beach.
The bridge provides an integral link of
the Ream Wilson East-West Trail, a designated National Recreation
Trail that connects Clearwater Beach to Tampa Bay. The trail, when
complete, will provide 14 miles of paved non-motorized pathways for
pedestrians.
The trail currently begins on Old Tampa
Bay at the southern boundary of Safety Harbor, where it connects
with the city’s waterfront sidewalks that extend north into
Philippe Park. From Safety Harbor, the trail crosses McMullen Booth
Road on a pedestrian bridge and continues uninterrupted under U.S.
19 to Bright House Field on Drew Street. Sections of new trail also
are complete along the Progress Energy right-of-way that eventually
will extend both to the north and south across Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard. The trail is designated to follow east-west Druid Street
and again resumes in Clearwater’s downtown.
"Trails not only provide recreation
benefit, but especially in these times, offer an invaluable
transportation alternative to our residents and visitors," said
Kevin Dunbar, Clearwater Parks & Recreation Director. "We are
excited that we can offer this type of facility."
The trail is open during daylight hours
for use by non-motorized users such as walkers, joggers, runners,
skaters and cyclists.
The new $2.482-million structure was built
with 100% federal funding. "CMAQ" monies, or funds established for
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality projects, were used for the
project.
Due to budget constraints, there will be
no celebration or ribbon cutting. For more information, call
727-562-4800.
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