Bits and Pieces: Bridges vs. Causeways

No matter how often I drive in Florida, I still experience a fear of bridges. One might think that as often as bridges must be crossed in this state, I would begin to lose my fear. Let’s just say that I no longer have the strong inner drive to go over the edge.

   In the Tampa area, getting from Point A to any Point B south or east, usually involves crossing a bridge of some size. I have even had to go across a causeway to two.

   As I crossed the Courtney Campbell Causeway, I began to wonder what the difference was between a bridge and a causeway. After all, I still had large bodies of water to the left of me and to the right of me.

   Having something else to ponder was a help in dealing with my fear. 

   According to most sources, a bridge spans a divide – either with construction or something in nature – whereas a causeway is a raised road often over a marsh, water or some low-lying feature.

   Some bridges may have a causeway leading to it or from it; and some causeways may have bridges within them. A causeway could be built connecting a mainland to a large island using small (sometimes called spoiled) islands in the connection. One in Sanibel, Florida has three links in the chain using two spoiled islands and a drawbridge.

   The causeway that I travel over often is the Courtney Campbell Causeway. It traverses Old Tampa Bay and extends 52,165 feet which is over 9.5 miles. In 2018, the Department of Transportation finished the 230’ bridge to improve the water quality and the first direct tidal connection for Old Tampa Bay in 80 years.

Not only can a causeway give the sensation of stability because it has “road” beneath it, but often there are bike and hiking trails lining either side of the roadway. Trees and park-like areas also separate some views of the large bodies of water.

The (Bob Graham) Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg to Bradenton extends 4.1 miles. This includes both approaches/causeways to the central yellow cable-stayed portion of 430 feet to allow cruise ships to pass.

Fishing piers and rest areas are directly after paying the toll to cross. The beautiful yellow cables aren’t even visible until the vehicle approaches the incline to the central portion of the bridge. It takes a clear day with perfect sunshine to have a clear view of and from the bridge.

The causeway approaches are so long that to have a picture of the apex with the yellow cables makes them miniscule.