Pinellas Bayway

Infobox road
state=FL
name_notes=
type=FL
route=679
length_mi=4.82
length_round=2
length_ref= [http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/statistics/pdfs/fedaidreport.pdf FDOT Federal-Aid Report]
established=
direction_a=South
direction_b=North
starting_terminus=Fort DeSoto Park
junction=
ending_terminus=
previous_type=FL
previous_route=678
next_type=FL
next_route=681

Infobox road
state=FL
marker_

name_notes=
type=FL
route=682
length_mi=3.72
length_round=2
length_ref= [http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/statistics/pdfs/fedaidreport.pdf FDOT Federal-Aid Report]
established=
direction_a=West
direction_b=East
starting_terminus=
junction=
ending_terminus=
previous_type=FL
previous_route=681
next_type=FL
next_route=683

The Pinellas Bayway System is a series of bridges on two Florida State Roads in Pinellas County, Florida. It is a toll road complex maintained and operated by the Florida Department of Transportation. It also is compatible with the SunPass ETC system currently in used on all other FDOT-owned toll roads. The Pinellas Bayway consists of:

*State Road 682, an east-west divided highway connecting SR 699 on a Gulf of Mexico barrier island near St. Pete Beach, Florida to Interstate 275 (SR 93) and US 19 (SR 55) in St. Petersburg. The 3.7-mile-long State Road 682 passes over three bridges (toll: 50 cents) as it crosses the entrance of Boca Ciega Bay.

*State Road 679, a hook-shaped north-south road with a four-lane divided northern half (between SR 682 and Tierra Verde) and a two-lane southern half serving Fort DeSoto Park at the tip of the "hook" (35 cents toll). Motorists traveling the entire length of SR 679 traverse two bridges.

The two State Roads intersect on Isla del Sol midway between St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. Both highways have drawbridges in addition to low-level causeways in their configuration. Attempts to replace the drawbridges with bridges of a different design in recent years have met resistance from both nearby residents, yachtsmen, and the local chapter of the NAACP. [http://www.inventionandtechnology.com/xml/2004/4/it_2004_4_dept_notes.xml] Studies are being conducted by FDOT as to how the bridges will be replaced and how much they would cost. [http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1035895801.html?dids=1035895801:1035895801&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=May+12%2C+2006&author=PAUL+SWIDER&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=6&desc=Officials+consider+replacing+Tierra+Verde+bridge]

Both Fort DeSoto Park and the Pinellas Bayway opened on December 21, 1962. The east-west portion was then signed SR A19A, a designation it kept until the mid-1980s, when FDOT did a statewide reallocation of state route numbers.

Tolls

The Pinellas Bayway system employs cash and electronic toll collection. While casual users of the Bayway system may use their SunPass or other Florida-compatible electronic toll collection transponders, two discount programs for Bayway Isle and commuters are also authorized, in conjunction with SunPass usage.

Bayway Isle residents may purchase a Bayway Isle annual pass for $15 annually, allowing them unlimited passage through the northeast toll plaza, only. This discount was authorized at the time of the original construction of the facility. The pass is sold in June of each year and expires on July 1 the following year.

Commuters and other frequent users have the option of purchasing an unlimited pass for $50 annually. This commuter pass, which is good at all three plazas on the Bayway system, is renewable each September, and was authorized by legislation in 1985.

The prices include the rental of transponder for the term of the annual pass.

Toll Controversy

On November 28, 2007 the Florida Department of Transportation held a public hearing and revealed that they planned to more than double the cash and Sunpass tolls on the Pinellas Bayway, and to eliminate the $15 Bayway resident pass. The funds from these increased tolls would be used to issue bonds for the eventual improvement of the bridges of the Bayway System.

There has been much controversy over these toll increases. Local public officials (including Mayor Rick Baker of St. Petersburg) have come out loudly against what some perceive as an unfair allocation of costs to Pinellas Bayway residents. In February, 2008 an ad-hoc coalition of affected Homeowner Associations, the "Citizens's Bayway Task Force' organized to fight the toll increase. The legislation to increase the tolls on the Pinellas Bayway was withdrawn on March 19, 2008. [http://www.baywaytaskforce.org/]

References

External links

* [http://www.edwardringwald.com/PinellasBridges/PinellasBayway.htm Discussion of the Pinellas Bayway at the Drawbridges of Pinellas County page]
* [http://www.edwardringwald.com/PinellasBridges/TierraVerde.htm Discussion of the Tierra Verde Bridge at the Drawbridges of Pinellas County page]