Project Status for the Westwinds and Crosswinds Bridges Project

The project contractor’s Notice to Proceed took effect on July 6, 2020, and construction is underway. Pinellas County understands the inconvenience, and in some cases hardship, this construction may cause. We will make every effort to minimize those occurrences.

Project Updates

• Oct. 6, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • Pinellas County met with the bonding company’s representative on-site to discuss steps to achieve project completion. The contractor and the bonding company are currently working together to complete the project. The contractor has informed the County they will be on-site November 15 to pour the concrete sidewalk on the south side of the bridge.
• Sept. 18, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The temporary traffic signals for Crosswinds Bridge are scheduled to be removed and the bridge opened to two-way traffic on Sept. 20, 2023. Occasional lane closures during daytime hours will be needed to complete the remaining work. Please continue to use caution while traveling through the project area.
• Sept. 14, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor has advised the County that due to material and staffing shortages they need to extend the project by approximately 4 to 6 weeks. The project is now expected to be complete by the end of November.
• Sept. 6, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • Minor delay due to Hurricane Idalia. The project remains on schedule for completion by the end of the month.
• August 15, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • Sidewalk installation and cleanup work continues. The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• August 1, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor is currently awaiting schedule confirmation from the concrete producer and for the trucking company to begin hauling materials offsite. The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• July 18, 2023
  • Crosswinds
  • The asphalt placement for the north roadway and approaches of the Crosswinds Bridge was completed on July 17. Traffic is planned to be switched to the north side of the bridge beginning the morning of July 21. Work will then resume on the south side of the bridge. The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• July 5, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • Material procurement issues have delayed the traffic pattern switch so work can begin on the south side of the bridge. Work continues on the north-side roadway and asphalt placement is scheduled for July 14. The traffic pattern switch to the north side is now scheduled for July 17. The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• June 20, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor is completing concrete placement and installing the approach sidewalks this week. Over the next two weeks, the contractor will install and restore the sidewalk, curb and driveways on the north side of Crosswinds Drive, both east and west of the bridge.
      
      In early July, the north side of Crosswinds Drive is planned to be repaved and the traffic lane will be shifted to the northern portion of the bridge so work can be completed on the south side.
      
      The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• June 6, 2023
  • Crosswinds
• The contractor is preparing both of the Crosswinds Drive Bridge approach slabs for concrete. The first concrete placement is scheduled for Friday, June 9. The project remains on schedule for completion in September.
• May 26, 2023
  • Crosswinds
• To facilitate the concrete placement for the bridge deck, the traffic lane over the Crosswinds bridge will be reduced from a 13-foot width down to 10-foot, 6-inches, starting on May 30. The traffic lane is expected to be restored to a 13-foot width by June 1.
• The contractor continues to prepare the bridge deck of the westbound lane and sidewalk for concrete overlay placement. The reinforcing steel and dowels are currently being installed with forms and screed guides to be installed next. Concrete is tentatively scheduled to be placed beginning the morning of May 31.
• The contractor is still working on restoration of the canal to ensure the depths meet the pre-construction conditions.
• May 23, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor continues to prepare the bridge deck of the westbound lane and sidewalk for concrete overlay placement. The reinforcing steel and dowels are currently being installed with forms and screed guides to be installed next. Concrete is tentatively scheduled to be placed beginning the morning of May 31, 2023.
• May 9, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • (P.M. update) The contractor completed a channel survey of the canal this morning and will be moving forward with the installation of the deck beams beginning on May 10, 2023. Residents and visitors should expect traffic delays as the beams are set into place.
    • (A.M. update) Surveyors will be onsite collecting data for a post-construction survey of the channel to compare with the pre-design survey. If the post-construction survey does not match the pre-construction condition, the contractor will be required to continue restoration efforts until the pre-construction conditions are achieved. The remnant foundation sections that remain from the old bridge foundation directly in front of the new seawall on the north half of the bridge will be removed to an elevation of 2-feet below the bottom of the canal per the contract requirements.
      
      After these activities are complete and the final channel survey approved, the contractor will proceed with installation of the deck beams via crane.
• April 24, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor has informed the County that most of the canal restoration work is complete. Excess materials have been removed and the long-reach excavator has been demobilized. The contractor will continue to perform work on the canal bottom, with bridge deck beams scheduled to be installed in early May.
      
      Reminder: During construction, the canal is under the contractor’s control. Per insurance requirements, the contractor will not permit vessels through the canal during the construction contract period. The contractor has indicated they may consider opening the canal to the public once the bridge deck is in place and work transitions to the bridge approaches.
      
      Final completion of the project is expected in September 2023.
• March 23, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The sanitary sewer work is complete and the pumping has ceased. Work on the west side of the bridge is ongoing. Final completion of the project is expected in September 2023.
• March 10, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The sanitary sewer work is expected to be complete by March 24 and the pumps that have been in place for this phase of work will then be removed. Work on the west side of the bridge has resumed. Final completion of the project is expected in September 2023.

• Feb. 14, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor has completed Phase 1 of the sanitary sewer line replacement and is in the process of switching over to Phase 2. This requires removal of the cofferdam from the western half of the canal and installation of the cofferdam in the eastern half.
    • The contractor anticipates that the sanitary sewer work will be complete before the end of March, then bridge construction will resume. Bridge construction is scheduled to be completed in late summer or early fall of 2023.

• Jan. 13, 2023
  • Crosswinds
    • The contractor is back at work, cleaning up work site areas and preparing for installation of the sanitary sewer line under the canal that requires placement of a cofferdam. The sanitary sewer line work is scheduled to begin on Jan. 17, 2023. The work will create noise and ground vibrations, but will be limited to daytime operations.
    • This task will be performed in two phases. The first phase will close approximately 60 percent of the canal width. When stage 2 of the cofferdam is installed, the first phase of it will be removed. The canal will be closed to all water traffic during this construction. The installation of the new sanitary sewer line is anticipated to take 3 weeks.

• Dec. 21, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • All sidewalk and driveway construction outside of the current bridge construction area has been completed. The contractor is expecting delivery of sheet piling materials in the final weeks of 2022.   Installation of the two-stage cofferdam is expected to begin the first week of January.

• Oct. 12, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • The project is currently on hold awaiting authorization from the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to permit the construction of a cofferdam across the canal for the installation of the new sanitary sewer line which must be placed under the bridge. Conversations with permitting agencies during the design process indicated the sewer line was an exempt activity; however, the construction of the cofferdam is not.
    • We are working closely with the USACE to move the permit along as quickly as possible. The contractor will resume activities as soon as the permit is received. We know this is a major inconvenience and we appreciate your patience.

• June 10, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • After a delay due to utility relocations and ordering additional construction materials, the contractor will begin operations to install new sheetpiling for the north side of the bridge on June 13, 2022. This phase of work is expected to last approximately three months. Residents can expect elevated noise levels during piledriving operations.
    • The work requires switching the existing sanitary line to the recently installed sanitary bypass to allow for the installation of the sheetpiling and the installation of a cofferdam for the replacement of the existing sanitary line under the canal. No interruptions to sewer or water service are expected. Existing traffic patterns will remain in place.

• April 29, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • Phase II construction on the Crosswinds Bridge will begin on May 9, 2022. The canal will be closed to all vessels until further notice and demolition of the north section of the existing bridge will begin.

• April 1, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • Awaiting Duke Energy’s relocation of the electrical power lines to the south side of the bridge.

• Jan. 13, 2022
  • Crosswinds
    • The County’s contractor is preparing to switch the traffic pattern over Crosswinds Dr. Bridge to the south side for Phase II construction.

• Oct. 18, 2021
  • Crosswinds
    • Pinellas County’s contractor will open the Crosswinds Bridge canal by the end of the week. It will remain open until demolition begins on the north side of the old bridge in early December.
    • The bridge is scheduled to be completed in November 2022.
• July 27, 2021
  • Westwinds
    • The new Westwinds Bridge has been completed and is open. Construction continues on the Crosswinds Bridge.

• June 10, 2021:
  • Westwinds
    • The intersection of Cardinal Trail and Westwinds Drive will be closed on Tuesday, June 15, for paving of the intersection and bridge approach.
    • Residents who live west of Cardinal Trail will need to use Oak Bluff Drive to access Klosterman Road.
• May 28, 2021:
  • Westwinds
    • Roadway and drainage system construction continues on both the east and west sides of the bridge.
    • The contactor will complete all work on the east side of the bridge first, with placement of asphalt pavement expected in late June.
    • Opening of the bridge to all traffic is anticipated for fall 2021.
  • Crosswinds
    • During the first week of June, installation of the sheet piles for new sea walls will continue on the south half of the bridge.
    • The contractor will begin installation of the foundation piles the following week.
• April 20, 2021:
  • Westwinds
    • With construction at the bridge entering its final stages, the contractor will move the crane to Crosswinds Drive Bridge early next week (approximately April 26-27).
    • Residents are reminded this is still an active construction site, and only authorized personnel should enter.
  • Crosswinds
    • Once the crane is up and running next week (approximately April 28-29), demolition of the south half of the bridge will begin. That will be followed by the installation of the sheet piling and bridge foundation piles.
    • Residents are reminded to stay clear of construction.
• Feb. 5, 2021:
  • Crosswinds
    • The canal at Crosswinds Dr. bridge will be closed to all vessels starting 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22.
    • Closure is in preparation for demo of the south half of the bridge and will be 24/7 until further notice.
• Feb. 1, 2021:
  • Westwinds
    • Concrete beams have been placed for the bridge deck.
    • Placement of the concrete bridge deck will begin the week of Feb. 15.
  • Crosswinds
    • The Crosswinds Drive bridge temporary traffic plan (Phase 1) goes into effect on Thursday, Feb. 4.
    • Traffic will be reduced to one lane over the north side of the bridge, controlled with a temporary signal.
    • Once the south side of the new bridge is completed traffic will shift to that south side while the north side is constructed.  One-lane of traffic will be maintained throughout the construction duration.
    • The Traffic Control Plan map is available to view the traffic pattern.
      
      

• Jan. 15, 2021:
  • Westwinds
    • Installation of the bridge foundation has been completed. The contractor is scheduled to begin installing the bridge deck on Jan. 21, pending concrete strength test results.
    • The canal continues to be closed to vessels during weekday working hours.
    • Bridge construction is on schedule for completion by June 2021.
  • Crosswinds
    • Construction will begin on Feb. 1 with the activation of temporary traffic signals, restricting bridge traffic to one lane on the north side.
    • Water main relocation will take place in early February, followed by demolition of the south half of the bridge.
    • Temporary closure of the canal will be required. Duration to be announced.
    • Crosswinds Bridge is scheduled for completion in September 2022.
• Oct. 12, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • For your safety, avoid visiting the Westwinds Drive bridge construction site at all times. Please observe all posted signage, and do not allow children to use the utility bridge to cross the canal.
• Oct. 7, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The Westwinds Drive canal will be open on weekends beginning Friday evening, Oct. 9. Vessels will be able to transit the canal from Fridays at 7 p.m. through Mondays at 7 a.m. until further notice. Users are cautioned to observe the new seawall locations and temporary utility bridge in the construction area.
• Sept. 22, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The Westwinds Drive canal will remain closed to vessel traffic through Oct. 16 due to underground conditions and subsequent plan revisions that have extended the schedule for installation of the bridge foundations. The contractor hopes to begin opening the canal on weekends after Oct. 16. On weekends, the canal would be open from 7 p.m. on Friday nights until 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
• Aug. 13, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • Due to difficulty the contractor has encountered in sheet pile installation, the canal at Westwinds bridge will remain closed to all vessels. The closure is expected to last through September, but residents will be updated as efforts progress. Construction noise levels could increase at times due to the contractor’s need to use heavier-duty equipment. The delay is due to unforeseen subsurface conditions.
• August 7, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The Canal at Westwinds bridge will remain closed through Friday, Aug. 14, due to ongoing sheet pile installation.
• July 30, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The Canal at Westwinds bridge will be closed to all vessels from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7. due to ongoing construction.
    • Residents living near the bridge can expect increased construction noise between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7, due to sheet pile installation.
    • The intersection of Westwinds Drive and Crosswinds Drive is being closed indefinitely (red on the map). A new detour will use Innisfil Street and Manor Blvd. (green). Residents living beyond the “Road Closed” sign on Westwinds Dr. (yellow) will still have driveway access. Residents on Crosswinds Dr. (blue) will need to use Manor Blvd. and Innisfil St. to enter and leave home.

• July 28, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • Water service will be interrupted overnight on Thursday, July 30, beginning at 11 p.m. due to utility line relocation work. Affected residents are being notified. Every effort will be made to minimize the water shutdown period. When service is restored, please run cold water through all fixtures for several minutes. If delayed, the work will take place overnight on Sunday, Aug. 2.
• July 23, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The canal at Westwinds Bridge will be closed to all vessels from 7 a.m. on Monday, July 27, until 7 p.m. on Friday, July 31. During this time, the contractor will be removing the Westwinds Bridge structure. Residents with boats needing canal passage at the bridge should make alternate arrangements. (Note: Two days were added to the closure because of a construction delay.)
• July 20, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The canal at Westwinds Bridge will be closed to all vessels from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 22, 23 and 24.
• July 16, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • The crane at Westwinds bridge is now up and running.
    • Contractor (AEB) will be installing a temporary utility bridge on the south side of Westwinds bridge July 16-17. The canal will be closed during this time.
• July 9, 2020:
  • Westwinds
    • July 6 – Westwinds Drive was closed at the bridge; detour in place.
    • The contractor is currently in the initial phase of utility relocations and bridge demolition.
  • Crosswinds
    • Crosswinds Drive bridge is currently open.
    • Later July – Traffic control plan will restrict traffic flow to one lane with temporary signalization and the contractor will begin Phase 1 of the Crosswinds Bridge replacement.
• July 6, 2020: Contractor’s Notice to Proceed will take effect. Construction is expected to begin in late summer.
• June 24, 2020: Residents participated in the virtual Westwinds and Crosswinds Bridges Neighborhood Information Meeting via Zoom, from 6 – 7 p.m. held by County staff and project engineers.
• April 2017: Design work is completed for Westwinds and Crosswinds Bridges.
• October/December 2014: Design work began for Westwinds and Crosswinds Bridges.