Work on the Courtney Campbell Causeway Pedestrian Trail moves into its next phase this week. The $15 million project is meant to separate runners, walkers, and cyclists from vehicle traffic.

The Florida Department of Transportation and the city of Clearwater are leading the effort. Funding for the design and structure comes from a combination of state, federal, and city sources. That means taxpayers at every level of government are paying.

The project centers on a pedestrian overpass on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. In about two weeks, the structure is expected to get new features, including a canopy and bike racks, according to FDOT renderings and the project’s design firm. The firm says the structure has been wind-tunnel tested and should withstand the elements.

To make the upgrades, the stretch of the trail between Bayshore Boulevard and Kiran C. Patel Boulevard is expected to close for about two weeks, weather permitting. Officials expect to finish the full project by the end of the year.

Jacob Coates, who runs the trail nearly every morning while training for races, said he welcomes the changes. He is still waiting for the crossing that will let him get across the street without stopping at traffic lights, and he said fewer interactions between pedestrians and vehicles make for a safer trail. He said the closure is a fair trade for the progress, since other trails are available in the meantime.

Kayla Mejia, FDOT’s digital media manager, said the city worked closely with the department on the renderings. She described them as “kind of supposed to be an artistic view.”

With a $15 million price tag and work still ahead of schedule for year’s end, residents can follow updates on the FDOT Tampa Bay project page.

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