Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Finally, go!

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published August 19, 2005

Traffic rolled over the Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge for the first time Thursday afternoon as a caravan of city vehicles climbed eastward toward a lightning-scarred sky.

The parade of fire vehicles, police cruisers and a garbage truck lasted about four minutes and came a few hours later scheduled. Average Joes followed, as did the Jolley Trolley and everyone else.

As wild as it was building this bridge - nearly 17 months late and millions of dollars over budget - Thursday was another remarkable day.

9:55 A.M.: Workers from Overstreet Paving of Brooksville finish ripping up a 150-yard stretch of the eastbound approach that needs resurfacing. One jokes about the news that the bridge was to open at 10 a.m., "That one gave us a chuckle."

10:15 A.M.: Deputy police Chief Dewey Williams pulls up to inspect the work. Leaves shaking his head. Motorcycle units are on standby, ready to lead the first cars. Road still unpaved.

10:52 A.M.: A bicyclist crosses westbound traffic to check on the progress. He asks to take a ride on the new bridge. "Not yet," fires back someone on the crew. The biker pedals on. Road still unpaved.

11 A.M.: Television reports bridge delayed, again. City and state officials say eastbound lanes will open, arguing there's no delay at all. Road still unpaved.

11:38 A.M.: Workers start to lay asphalt. George McKeldin, a 71-year-old downtown Clearwater resident waiting on his bike, says he'll stick it out.

12:19 P.M.: Asphalt down. Crews start rolling it flat.

12:58 P.M.: Lightning begins filling Clearwater skies. A light rain follows. Police motorcycle units head back for cruisers.

1:20 P.M.: Crews start drilling into the asphalt, taking samples of the new roadway. Paint trucks follow closely, laying a white line down the edge of the road.

1:36 P.M.: Bridge project manager Sean Bush of PCL Civil Constructors brushes bits of debris off the new roadway. Bush, who directed construction of the bridge, walks the new roadway like a proud father.

1:44 P.M.: Police cruisers arrive followed by a group of city vehicles led by Mayor Frank Hibbard. Bush taps on Hibbard's window. He rolls it down. "Mr. Hibbard, welcome to your bridge," Bush says.

1:50 P.M.: Wheels turn. Finally.

Westbound lanes of the bridge are scheduled to open between noon and 2 p.m. today, state officials say.

[Last modified August 19, 2005, 01:04:19]