(Tampa Bay, December 19, 2006) --- The Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway Corridor Advisory Committee (CCSH CAC) is pleased to announce the receipt of $400,000 in statewide Transportation Enhancement funding, awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation, District 7, to explore options for constructing a multi-modal trail across Tampa Bay.
The project limits for this feasibility study extend from the Veteran's Expressway to McMullen Booth Road along the Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR 60), a distance of approximately 9.9 miles.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental effects and the technical feasibility of adding a bicycle/pedestrian facility for the entire project length. The study will also provide alternatives for spanning the bay, determining the feasibility of either attaching the trail to the existing bridge structure or constructing independent trail structures. Trail on both the north and south side of the Causeway is envisioned, linking public parks, boat ramps and businesses.
The proposed trail will connect Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, allowing users to make a seamless journey between these two metropolitan areas while enjoying the corridor's pristine vistas. This will provide connectivity to major trail and park systems within core areas of Clearwater and Tampa.
This project is a component of the Corridor Management Plan for the recently designated Courtney Campbell Causeway Scenic Highway. The project is unique in that it is a cooperative effort between the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the cities of Clearwater and Tampa and the counties of Pinellas and Hillsborough. Additionally, the partnership includes the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, Westshore Alliance, PBS&J, and URS. This trail link is also an identified priority on the West Central Florida MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee's Regional Multi-Use Trail Priority Map.
Corridor Advisory Committee Vice-Chair and City of Tampa Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena stated, "The exciting part of linking Hillsborough and Pinellas County is the cooperative approach the Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway Corridor Advisory Committee has taken. Eco-tourism is growing in both counties and the opportunity to have a bicycle and pedestrian trail will expand that opportunity further. It would be great to be able to ride your bike, skate, or walk the Courtney Campbell across the bridge."
Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 staff is working on the scoping and will be going out for bid in February 2007.