Pinellas - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

LAKE
Pinellas
Trail
Loop
Plan
A Case Study
November 2008
(An Extension of the Existing Pinellas Trail to
Form a Loop Through the Entire County
Connecting All Major Destinations)
Brian K. Smith
Executive Director
Pinellas County
Metropolitan Planning Organization
600 Cleveland Street, Suite 750
Clearwater, FL 33755
727-464-8200
fax: 727-464-8201
A 74.9-Mile Loop
Divided into 15 Segments
with Identified Partners,
Funding Sources,
and Innovations.
GULF BLVD.
BELLEAIR
LARGO
WALSINGHAM
102nd AVE. N.
GULF BLVD.
TARPON
SPRINGS
CRYSTAL
BEACH
OZONA
K
EAST AVE.
113th STREET N.
J
SUNSET POINT RD.
CLEARWATER
DREW ST.
SEMINOLE BLVD.
ULMERTON RD.
ALT. U.S. 19
ALT.19
GULF
BELLEAIR
PARK
ALT.19
ALDERMAN
CURLEW RD.
C.R.1
DUNEDIN
MAIN ST.
KEENE RD.
EAST BAY
J
HIGHLAND AVE.
DRUID
NURSERY
STARKEY RD.
DR.
BELCHER RD.
BRYAN
DAIRY
BLVD.
TARPON AVE.
KLOSTERMAN RD.
TO BAY
PARK ST.
L
NEBRASKA
TAMPA RD.
RD.
RD.
RD.
BELCHER
RD.
TYRONE BLVD.
U.S. 19
JASMINE
MELON
A2
S.R. 686
66th ST. N.
U.S. 19
COUNTRYSIDE
BLVD.
S.R. 590
62nd ST. N.
LANDMARK DR.
ENTERPRISE
RD.
B
M
C
U.S. 19
McMULLEN BOOTH RD.
62nd AVE. N.
54th AVE. N.
38th AVE. N.
TRINITY BLVD.
GANDY
34th ST. N.
22nd AVE. N.
ST. PETERSBURG
9th AVE. N.
CENTRAL
N
EAST
RD.
A1
C.R.638
S. R. 584
BAYSIDE
BRIDGE
74th AVE. N.
KEYSTONE RD.
AVE.
1st AVE. S.
EAST LAKE
S.R. 60
S.R. 688
118th AVE. N.
PINELLAS PARK
OLDSMAR
U.S.19
S.R.580
SAFETY
HARBOR
ROOSEVELT BL.
28th ST. N.
I-275
I-275
I-275
BLVD.
16th ST. N.
M. L. KING ST. N.
I-375
I-175
GULFPORT
22nd AVE. S.
4th ST. N.
1st ST. N.
I-275
D E
F
G
83RD AVE. N.
H
I
SAN MARTIN
bsmith@pinellascounty.org
www.pinellascounty.org/mpo
PINELLAS BAYWAY
54th AVE. S.

PINELLAS TRAIL LOOP PLAN -- A CASE STUDY
The Pinellas Trail was originated in 1990 and by 1992 connected the St. Petersburg area along the western
side of Pinellas County to Tarpon Springs. It was built on land that had been acquired from the railroad in
the mid-1980s. This original section of the trail is 34 1/2 miles long. The trail is a 15-foot wide paved
surface separated from motorized vehicles. It runs through the middle of the urban area and passes
through six municipalities and several unincorporated communities. It connects the downtown areas of
these communities with residential areas, preserves, beaches, cultural facilities, parks, shopping, schools,
and many other community destinations. In fact, the trail has become an influence on how development is
occurring within the county. As an example, the city of Dunedin has totally reoriented its downtown toward
pedestrians such that it is focused around the trail which passes through the middle of the downtown area.
The Trail was originally conceived by the MPO’s Bicycle Advisory Committee as a recreation facility;
however, not long after it was built residents and visitors began to use it as a transportation facility.
Surveys of the trail use found that two-thirds of the trips on the trail are for work, school, errand running or
social purposes. 80,000 people a month are found to be using the Trail. The original trail, in addition to the
paved surface, contains three overpasses at Alt. U.S. 19, Bay Drive, and Ulmerton Road. These
overpasses were considered critical in making the initial trail a safe facility for people to use.
Over the years, improvements have been made to the Trail, continually making it safer and more
convenient to use. Six more overpasses were added across congested roadways. In addition, a half mile
long trail bridge across Boca Ciega Bay was built where the original railroad trestle used to be. These latter
improvements were funded from a combination of federal enhancement dollars and CMAQ dollars
allocated by the MPO. This level of commitment was made to the Trail because it was now serving as a
transportation service for both the residents and visitors to Pinellas County.
As the Pinellas Trail established trails as a viable means of transportation, many communities became
interested in developing trails connecting to the original corridor. The MPO's Bicycle Advisory Committee
saw the need to document and plan these efforts into one cohesive program. The Committee met with
every jurisdiction in the county that had responsibility for constructing such facilities. Based upon that
effort, a Trailways Plan was developed containing over 200 miles of trails within the urban area. These
trails were all practical projects which had community support. The trails formed a complete system of
connectivity within the county.
During this process, the Committee identified a 20-mile long power line corridor along the east side of the
county parallel to the existing Pinellas Trail. The Committee worked with the county and MPO to negotiate
the use of that corridor, which was at the time controlled by Florida Power, for the purpose of a multiuse
trail. The negotiations were successful and the power company provided a 99-year lease to the county for
the construction of the trail. In return, the power company was given naming rights to call the trail the
Florida Power Trail. Florida Power became Progress Energy and the project has continued on. The first
segment of this trail has now been built and is in use.

It should be noted there is a benefit to have an existing trail such as the Pinellas Trail established within the
community already because, as new trails are proposed, there is a higher comfort level in the community of
what to expect when the trail is built. In that context, the MPO hosts a Trail Security Task Force consisting
of all the law enforcement agencies along the existing corridor who meet quarterly for coordination and
exchange of information. In addition, the MPO performed a study of real estate value and how that has
positively affected the properties along the existing trail.
In late 2006, the Bicycle Advisory Committee realized the Trailways Plan needed to be better defined, with
an emphasis placed upon a continuous trail looping through the county serving as a main connecting line
for the entire system. The result of this effort was a corridor referred to as the Pinellas Trail Loop. This
included the existing Pinellas Trail, with improvements on the west side of the county and the Progress
Energy Trail on the east side of the county. This loop is 74-miles long and connects all of the major
destinations within the county. The loop also provides for regional connections to the adjacent counties.
With some minor adjustments, the loop utilizes the facilities that already existed within the Trailways plan.
When the Bicycle Advisory Committee first identified this trail loop plan, it appeared to be too large an
undertaking for the policy people to consider. The Committee carefully broke the entire loop plan into 15
manageable segments. Each of these segments was identified on a master map and then individually
mapped. A master chart was developed keyed to this mapping which documented concerns and
characteristics of each of those segments. This chart also includes partners that are involved, the activities
to be undertaken, and the possible funding sources.
Through this procedure, all of the key agencies developed a higher comfort level with the plan because it
appeared to be manageable. The way this management plan is structured, there are activities furthering
the various segments which are occurring at the same time. It should also be noted that with this approach
and the various participants, creative ways are being identified to efficiently define and configure the Trail
segments. This is resulting in considerable cost savings and also cost sharing among the segment
partners. Using this approach, the Committee has set the goal of having this Pinellas Trail Loop plan built
within 10 years. It should be noted that each segment sometimes has entirely different characteristics,
partners, and funding sources. An example is the new segment of Trail that takes the Pinellas Trail into the
downtown area of St. Petersburg. This effort involved the Trust for Public Land negotiating the purchase of
this corridor from the railroad. While this was being negotiated, the County held the corridor integrity
constant with the exercise of the federal rail banking procedure. An earmark had been obtained through
Congressman Bill Young's office to complete the purchase of the corridor. FDOT assisted with this
transaction. The city of St. Petersburg then agreed to build the trail using grant funds. Pinellas County
took action to provide transportation impact fees for the funding of the overpass to be built by the city on
U.S. 19 to connect this section of trail to the existing trail.
This Loop Plan can serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions to follow since every possible scenario of a
trail configuration is included within this plan. At the present time, not all the funding is identified that is
necessary to complete this plan. To date, funding for this plan had been derived from the local
infrastructure sales tax, MPO federal enhancement funds, transportation impact fees, federal earmark,
financial assistance from the Trust for Public Land Inc., developer contributions, and MPO federal CMAQ
funding.
-2-

BELCHE R RD
N B
D R
LANDMARK DR.
COUNTRYSIDE BLVD.
Pinellas
Trail Loop
US US US US US HIGHWAY HIGHWAY HIGHWAY HIGHWAY HIGHWAY 19 19 19 19 19 N N N N N
US 19 UNDERPASS
JASMINE
MELON
COACHMAN PARK
MEMORIAL CSWY
L
FUTURE
BEACH TRAIL
INTERCONNECT
34TH ST N
55
34TH ST S
5TH AVE N
GANDY BLVD.
I-275
CENTRAL AVE
22nd AVE. N.
28TH ST N
US 19 OVERPASS
54th AVE. N.
38th AVE. N.
30th AVE. N.
9th AVE. N.
5TH AVE N
5th AVE. N.
I-375
CENTRAL AVE
I
I-275
83rd AVE. N.
77th AVE. N.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ST. N.
TARPON SPRINGS
CITY PARK
LAKE TARPON
4th STREET N.
A19
1st STREET N.
H
EAST AVENUE
TURNER ST.
K
S MYRTLE AVE
SAN MARTIN
62nd AVE. N.
M
KEYSTONE RD
KEYSTONE ROAD
5TH AVE N
CENTRAL AVE
I-175
1st AVE S
TROPICANA FIELD
DREW ST
DR DR DR DR DR MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER KING KING KING KING KING JR JR JR JR JR ST ST ST ST ST N N N N N
I-175
DR DR DR DR DR MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER KING KING KING KING KING JR JR JR JR JR ST ST ST ST ST S S S S S
AT GRADE CROSSING
CLEVELAND ST
COURT ST
5TH AVE N
CENTRAL AVE
WEEDON
ISLAND
PRESERVE
4TH ST N
687
4TH ST S
651
CENTRAL AVE
92
Trail
TAMPA BAY
EAST EAST EAST EAST EAST LAKE LAKE LAKE LAKE LAKE RD RD RD RD RD
590
1st STREET
Sidepath
GULF BLVD.
BELLEAIR
LARGO
WALSINGHAM
102nd AVE. N.
GULF BLVD.
TARPON
SPRINGS
CRYSTAL
BEACH
OZONA
K
EAST AVE.
113th STREET N.
J
SUNSET POINT RD.
SEMINOLE BLVD.
ULMERTON RD.
ALT. U.S. 19
ALT.19
GULF
PARK
ALT.19
ALDERMAN
DREW
BELLEAIR
CURLEW RD.
C.R.1
DUNEDIN
HIGHLAND AVE.
MAIN ST.
DRUID
NURSERY
KEENE RD.
EAST BAY
STARKEY RD.
DR.
BELCHER RD.
BRYAN
DAIRY
BLVD.
TARPON AVE.
NEBRASKA
TAMPA RD.
CLEARWATER
J
KLOSTERMAN RD.
TO BAY
PARK ST.
L
ST.
RD.
RD.
RD.
BELCHER
RD.
TYRONE BLVD.
U.S. 19
JASMINE
MELON
A2
S.R. 686
66th ST. N.
U.S. 19
COUNTRYSIDE
BLVD.
S.R. 590
62nd ST. N.
LANDMARK DR.
ENTERPRISE
RD.
B
M
C
U.S. 19
McMULLEN BOOTH RD.
62nd AVE. N.
54th AVE. N.
38th AVE. N.
TRINITY BLVD.
GANDY
34th ST. N.
22nd AVE. N.
CENTRAL
N
EAST
C.R.638
PINELLAS BAYWAY
RD.
S. R. 584
BAYSIDE
BRIDGE
74th AVE. N.
LAKE
A1
KEYSTONE RD.
9th AVE. N.
AVE.
1st AVE. S.
EAST LAKE
S.R. 60
S.R. 688
118th AVE. N.
PINELLAS PARK
U.S.19
S.R.580
SAFETY
HARBOR
ROOSEVELT BL.
28th ST. N.
ST. PETERSBURG
GULFPORT
OLDSMAR
I-275
I-275
I-275
BLVD.
83RD AVE. N.
16th ST. N.
54th AVE. S.
M. L. KING ST. N.
I-375
I-175
22nd AVE. S.
4th ST. N.
1st ST. N.
I-275
D E
F
G
I
SAN MARTIN
H
10/16/08
CURLEW RD
A2
KEENE RD. CR 1
NURSERY RD.
BELLEAIR RD.
BELCHER RD
ELCHER RD
MAIN ST SR 580
SR580
SUNSET POINT RD.
DREW ST.
COUNTRYSIDE BLVD
HERCULES RD.
H AY 19 N
US HIG W
TARPON OUTFALL CANAL
DRUID RD.
NURSERY RD.
BELCHER RD.
BELLEAIR RD.
US HIGHWAY 19 N
LAKE TARPON
586
CURLEW RD
US HIGHWAY 19 N
BOOT
RANCH
BLVD. N.
TAMPA ROAD
FDOT OVERPASS
US 19
SR 580
REAM WILSON TRAIL
CONNECTION
GULF TO BAY BLVD. SR 60
LAKE ST GEORGE
CHESNUT
PARK
ENTRANCE
OLDSMAR
TRAIL
CONNECTION
ENTERPRISE RD.
US 19
EAST LAKE ROAD
WOODLANDS BLVD.
A1
MCM ULLEN BOOTH RD
B
SR 590
TAMPA BAY
MCMULLEN BOOTH RD
CURLEW RD
ENTERPRISE RD.
McMULLEN BOOTH RD.
SR 580
AT GRADE
CROSSING
TA MPA RD
Progress Energy
Alignment
ENTERPRISE RD E
MAIN ST.
BAYSIDE
BRIDGE
BAYSIDE
BRIDGE
580
Countryside Blvd.
Alignment
Landmark Drive
Alignment
Composite Alignment
CENTRAL AVENUE
GANDY
GANDY
I-275
DR DR DR DR DR MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN MARTIN LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER LUTHER KING KING KING KING KING JR JR JR JR JR ST ST ST ST ST N N N N N
I-175
RIO VISTA PARK
4TH ST N
687
4TH 4TH 4TH 4TH 4TH ST ST ST ST ST N N N N N
92
83rd AVE. N.
1st STREET N.
SAN MARTIN BLVD.
G
H
FBRIDGE
T. E. Funded Project
(77th Ave. N to 30th Ave. N.)
Partial Funding
(30th Ave. N. to 1st Ave. S.)
RIO VISTA SCHOOL
WEEDON
ISLAND
BRYAN DAIRY
RD.
Resource Recovery
Facility
D
I-275
Toytown
Struthers
Overpass
GANDY BLVD.
I-275
DR. M. L. KING JR. ST. N
ROOSEVELT BLVD.
102nd AVE. N.
E
94th AVE. N.
4th ST. N.
GANDY BLVD. US 92
Friendship Trail
SAN MARTIN
F
Weedon
Island
58th ST. N.
CROSS BAYOU
ULMERTON RD. SR 688
Underpass
D
US 19 N.
49th ST. N.
126th AVE. N.
118th AVE. N.
110th AVE. N.
Drainageway
County Utilities
Corridor ROW
Drainage Easement
ROW
County Utilites
ROW
34th ST. N.
ROOSEVELT BLVD.
28th ST. N.
Resource
Recovery
Facility
I-275
Overpass
GANDY BLVD.
US 19
HAINES BAYSHORE RD.
WHITNEY RD.
E. BAY DR. ROOSEVELT BLVD.
150th AVE. N.
66th ST. N.
US 19
62nd ST. N.
C
SR 686
49th ST. N.
FDOT
UNDERPASS
ULMERTON RD. SR 688
P18/MPO/BKPD/Loop/Segments 6 10/17/08

A1 Chesnut
A2 Progress Energy Trail
B
C
D
E
F
Progress Energy Trail
DESCRIPTION MILES DIRECTION AND OPTIONS PARTICIPANTS
West side of East Lake
Road Chesnut Park to
Tampa Rd
PE alignment
Tampa Road to US 19
PE alignment
I-275 to Weedon
G Rio Vista Rio Vista to 1st Street 0.5
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
PROJECT NAME
Progress Energy Trail
Progress Energy Trail
Progress Energy Trail
83rd Connector
North Bay
CSX
Fred Marquis
East Avenue
Jasmine /Melon
Keystone
East Lake Rd
PE alignment
US 19 to US 19
PE alignment
US 19 to Ulmerton
PE alignment
Ulmerton to I-275
1st Street & Coffee Pot Blvd.
Rio Vista to 1st Ave S
Tarpon Springs to St. Pete
US 19 to US 19
Clearwater Downtown
Segment
O LOOP Entire Trail
83rd Ave. alignment
San Martin to Rio Vista
1st Avenue South and CSX
Water Front to US 19
Live Oak - Jasmine-Melon
US 19 to Keystone Rd.
North side of Keystone Rd
Melon St to East Lake Rd
West side of East Lake Rd.
Keystone to Chesnut Park
1.8
4.5
5.5
2.8
5.3
2.5
0.9
6.3
3.0
33.5
East Lake Road corridor
Consider sidewalk upgrade
on service road
3 other options are:
- Countryside Blvd
- Landmark Drive
- Hybrid of Countryside/PE
County
Clearwater,
County, PE
2007 PROJECT
COST EST.
$ 10.7 M
(cost will be reduced)
$ 11.4 M
(cost will be reduced)
At-Grade Trail Penny F
US 19/Enterprise
Overpass
FDOT
F
FOLLOW THROUGH
Consider sidewalk upgrade on service road as a less costly alternative
a) Refine Landmark Drive alternative
b) Explore city constructing w/ city resources
c) Pursue design/construction w/ Penny funds
d) Eval recommended Hybrid PE corr w/Countryside Blvd
Construction complete from Belleair Road to Bright House Field;
Balance of project construction to Enterprise Rd to follow completion of first
phase
Construction of Overpass by FDOT underway
cost: $3.9 M
(need to track earmarked funds)
TO BE FUNDED
$ 10.7 M
(cost will be reduced)
$ 11.4 M
(cost will be reduced)
EVAL ESTIM $ 1.9 M
US 19/Belleair
Crossing
FDOT F Incorporated as an at-grade crossing in US 19 Bayside Project
Pursue at-grade Trail with Penny County, PE, Largo TBD
$ 7.4 M Schedule design in 08/09 construction in 09/10 with Penny $ 7.4 M
Ulmerton underpass -
FDOT under construction
FDOT FDOT
F Underpass construction included as part of Ulmerton Road project Construction Complete
Pursue PE alignment
Negotiate developer construction
Collaborate with St. Pete
Pursue incorporation in Gandy
Improvement with FDOT
Pursue north side of 83rd Avenue
Incorporate in bridge rehabilitation
City constructed Trail
Uses existing pedestrian bridge over
canal
City designing 1st St. off-road side path
Work with City on seeking construction
fund
St. Pete constructing Coffee Pot
area Trail
Resurface existing Trail per
Penny Program ($3M)
6 Blks Upgrade 6-block section to Trail design
0.8
3.0
4.3
Total
74.9
Constructing with existing Penny funds:
- Enterprise overpass - FDOT 2008
- Belleair - US 19 crossing - FDOT 2009
Continue PE alignment
Negotiate with utilities alignment (1.8
mi)
Negotiate - developer construction
Seek interstate funding for overpass
City designing and constructing 12-foot
trail on CSX and off-road side path
on
1st Avenue South
U.S. 19 includes Trail underpass per
MPO action
County Constructed Trail segment
Trail to be on north side with road
improvement
Keystone Road crossing at East Lake
Road to be at-grade
Trail exists as side path on west of
roadway
County, PE,
Clearwater, FDOT
County, St. Pete,
Pinellas Park,
Utilities, FDOT,
PE, Developers
County, St. Pete,
FDOT, PE,
Developers
County, St. Pete
$ 7.3 M
(cost reduction w/
partners including
trail in their projects
Negotiate with developers
Collaborate with City
Pursue with Gandy Improvements
St. Pete, County Existing
N/A Existing
St. Pete, County
St. Pete, County,
FDOT
County, FDOT
Clearwater,
County
$ 5.7 M
(cost will be reduced)
County committing $2M to construct the 1st Street section of this trail;
the city is funding the balance of the project to the south.
Total trail cost will be much less than the original $5.7M
$ 17.2 M
(cost reduced w/ partnerships
and partners building trail)
$ 7.3 M
(cost reduction w/ partners
including trail in their projects
$ 5.7 M
(cost will be reduced)
12-ft trail St. Petersburg $ 1.5 M /F Existing Grand Opening 10/04/08
add ped trail
(5-ft)
TBD $ 1.5 M Work with St. Pete on funding $ 1.5 M
US 19 Overpass
Impact Fees
$ 3 M
(modified by MPO to $3.5M)
N/A
$1.2 M
MPO recommended County fund - BCC funding with Impact Fees;
Funding agreement in negotiation for construction.
Advance funding from Penny Extension.
BAC to recommend problem segments for rehab funding,
but full rehab is necessary- enhancement funds also sought
MPO placed high priority for Federal Enhancement funding - city initiating
LAP agreement w/ FDOT
County Existing
N/A Existing
County Road construction - Penny
N/A Trail incorporated in road project to be constructed '09
County Existing
N/A Existing
F = FUNDED
TBD = TO BE DETERMINED
FUNDING / SOURCE
$ 17.2 M
At-Grade Trail TBD
(cost reduced w/
partnerships and
partners building
trail)
Negotiate with Utilities
Negotiate with Developers
Seek Federal funds for I-275 overpass
Letter of Understanding with Lakes Homewoners Assoc. for Trail
I-275 Overpass FDOT (TBD) $ 6.4 M $ 6.4 M
TBD
Bridge funding
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Existing
TBD
$ 8.5 M Evaluate funding options as part of bridge repair $ 8.5 M
$ 3 M
(modified by MPO to $3.5M)
$ 1.2 M
TOTAL
$80.3 M
(total cost will be reduced)
Loop Chart 111208 11/14/2008

LAKE
S.R.590
HILLSBOROUGH CO.
ELFERS TRAIL
ELFERS SPUR-ANCLOTE CROSSING TRAIL
HOWARD PARK TRAIL
WHITCOMB BAYOU TRAIL
MERES TRAIL
TARPON SPRINGS
PASCO
ALT.19
TARPON
AVE.
KLOSTERMAN
RD.
COUNTY
RD.
TRINITY BLVD.
KEYSTONE RD.
NORTHEAST EXTENSION-
JASMINE SEGMENT
STARKEY
WILDERNESS TRAIL
TRINITY TRAIL
BROOKER CREEK TRAIL
CRYSTAL BEACH
ALDERMAN
NEBRASKA
U.S. 19
EAST
EAST LAKE
NORTHEAST EXTENSION-
KEYSTONE SEGMENT
HONEYMOON ISLAND TRAIL
CURLEW ROAD TRAIL
DUNEDIN COMMUNITY TRAIL
EDGEWATER TRAIL
OLD COACHMAN TRAIL
CSX TRAIL
N. GREENWOOD LOOP
MEMORIAL CAUSEWAY PATH
CLEARWATER BEACH TRAIL
EAST AVENUE CONNECTOR
ROSS NORTON CONNECTION
BELLEAIR ROAD TRAIL
TAYLOR TRAIL
BELLEAIR CAUSEWAY TRAIL
LARGO BRICK TRAIL
LARGO CENTRAL PARK TRAIL
INDIAN ROCKS BRIDGE
WALSINGHAM SPUR
SEMINOLE SPC SPUR
CULTURAL FACILITIES TRAIL
PARK BLVD. BRIDGE
LAKE SEMINOLE TRAIL
GULF BEACHES BIKE PATH
GULF BLVD.
WELCH CAUSEWAY
BELLEAIR
LARGO
WALSINGHAM
RD.
GULF BLVD.
PINELLAS EQUESTRIAN TRAIL
TREASURE ISLAND CAUSEWAY TRAIL
PINELLAS
TRAILWAYS PLAN
PINELLAS TRAIL
PINELLAS TRAIL
EXTENSIONS
COMMUNITY TRAILS
GULF. BLVD.
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
PINELLAS TRAIL
PROGRESS ENERGY EXT.
BEACH ACCESS
TO PINELLAS TRAIL
Trail Overpass/Underpass
Pinellas County MPO
OZONA
ALT. U.S. 19
113th STREET N.
102nd AVE. N.
SEMINOLE
ALT. U.S. 19
ALT.19
C.R.1
DUNEDIN
MAIN ST.
SUNSET POINT RD.
DREW
GULF TO BAY
DRUID
NURSERY
BELLEAIR
KEENE RD.
STARKEY RD.
PARK
TA MPA RD.
CURLEW RD.
RD.
BRYAN
DAIRY
PARK ST.
BELCHER RD.
CLEARWATER
EAST BAY DR.
SEMINOLE BLVD.
HIGHLAND AVE.
BELCHER
ULMERTON RD.
37TH ST.
TRAIL
COREY
CAUSEWAY
SOUTH
BEACHES
TRAIL
CHILDS PARK
TRAIL
(CLAM BAYOU)
BAYWAY TRAIL
SOUTH
ST.
BLVD.
TYRONEBL.
FORT DESOTO
PARK TRAIL
S.R. 580
RD.
RD.
RD.
SR 590
66th ST. N.
U.S. 19
S.R. 686
U.S. 19
McMULLEN BOOTH RD.
62nd AVE. N.
54th AVE. N.
38th AVE. N.
GANDY
34th ST. N.
22nd AVE. N.
9th AVE. N.
CENTRAL
BAYWAY
C.R.752
C.R.102
BAYSIDE
BRIDGE
S.R. 60
S.R. 688
118th AVE. N.
PINELLAS PARK
74th AVE. N.
OLDSMAR
S.R.584 S.R. 580
28th ST. N.
ST. PETERSBURG
5th AVE. N.
SAFETY HARBOR
AVE.
I-275
I-275
22nd AVE. S.
BAYSHORE TRAIL
ROOSEVELT BL.
I-275
SKYWAY
BRIDGE
16th ST. N.
54th AVE. S.
M. L. KING ST. N.
4th ST. N.
LANDMARK TRAIL
OLDSMAR/SAFETY HARBOR
CROSSING TRAIL
BAYSHORE TRAIL
I-275
OLDSMAR TRAILS
ENTERPRISE TRAIL
MAIN STREET TRAIL
COURTNEY CAMPBELL
RECREATIONAL TRAIL
CLEARWATER EAST-WEST TRAIL
COURTNEY CAMPBELL CONNECTION
DRUID ROAD TRAIL
142ND AVE. TRAIL
BLV D.
PINELLAS TRAIL
EXTENSION
(ST. PETERSBURG)
BOOKER CREEK TRAIL
DOWNTOWN CONNECTION
TRAIL
LAKE MAGGIORE TRAIL
SOUTH BAY TRAIL
BAYWAY TRAIL NORTH
SKYWAY TRAIL
GATEWAY
NATURE TRAIL
FRIENDSHIP TRAIL
(Old Gandy bridge)
WEEDON ISLAND
TRAIL
FREEDOM LAKE
TRAIL
NORTH BAY TRAIL
(INCLUDES RIO VISTA
CONNECTION)
62ND AVE./JOE’S CREEK
TRAIL
NORTH BAY TRAIL
P18/MPO/BKPD/Bmap1 10/24/07

THE PINELLAS TRAIL LOOP PROGRAM
November 2008
An oversight initiative by the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) to assist the Pinellas County community in
completing the loop within 10 years.
A1. Chesnut Park Connector (1.8 miles) – Chesnut Park to Tampa Road
The Trail is proposed to continue on the west side of East Lake Road and tie into the extension of the
Progress Energy Trail in the Tampa Road vicinity. The Trail will be located in the county road right-of-way
but some alternatives will need to be explored to provide a good connection to the Trail to the south. This
will be the same location where a connection will be made to the Oldsmar Trail, which opens regional
connectivity to the east.
A2. Progress Energy Trail Segment A (4.5 miles) –Tampa Road to Enterprise Road/U.S. 19
The original alignment follows the powerline. Since large sections are not owned by the power company
but have been permitted for various uses through easements, it is indicated that it could be very expensive
to place a trail on the original alignment. The city of Clearwater has proposed two parallel north-south
public right-of-way as available alternatives. These are Countryside Boulevard and Landmark Drive.
These alignments have very wide public right-of-way with almost no driveway crossings, and actually have
been considered by the city for years as candidates for a trail project. Discussion and coordination with the
City to pursue one or both of these alternatives continues to be appropriate.
A third alternative was identified that could use the Progress Energy corridor along the south end of the
segment, then cross at Meadow Wood Drive to connect to Countryside Boulevard which would then used
for the north segment of the trail. This alternative eliminates the need to pass though the privately owned
segment to the north of the Progress Energy corridor that was identified to have high right-of-way costs.
BAC asked the MPO to conduct a feasibility study to identify the most cost-effective alternative route
possible to provide a connection through this area while still maintaining valuable connections to retail
centers, public services, and other community destinations.
B. Progress Energy Trail Segment B (5.5 miles) – Enterprise Road/U.S. 19 to Belleair Road/U.S. 19
The Trail overpass of U.S. 19 at Enterprise Road is an FDOT project scheduled for construction in 2008.
Utilizing Penny funding, Progress Energy has constructed the Trail in the powerline alignment from Belleair
Road to Bright House Field north of Drew Street. The full contract provides for further construction
northward to Enterprise Road and other areas to the south as funding permits. Engineering design for the
section north of Bright House Field to the Enterprise Road interchange is nearly complete. The FDOT
design for Belleair Road/U.S. 19 provides an at-grade crossing for the Trail. This is a FDOT funded project.
North of Drew Street, the powerline corridor intersects with the CSX railroad, and this crossing provides an
additional challenge. One alternative is to utilize the existing crossing of the railroad at the Ream Wilson
Trail, Clearwater’s east-west multi-use trail. The proposed alignment would therefore follow the Ream
Wilson Trail north of Bright House Field, to Old Coachman/NE Coachman intersection, where it would cross
the railroad tracks. The sidewalk on NE Coachman will be widened from the railroad eastward to the
powerline ROW, where the trail will continue north within the utility corridor.
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C. Progress Energy Trail Segment C (2.8 miles) – Belleair Road/US 19 to Ulmerton Road
The Trail proceeds from the east side of U.S.19 within the powerline alignment to Ulmerton Road. It is
anticipated that partial funding should be available to begin construction of Segment C and continue the
Progress Energy Trail southward toward Ulmerton Road, where FDOT is currently constructing an
underpass at Cross Bayou as part of the road construction project. The road construction and underpass is
funded FDOT as part of Ulmerton Road improvements scheduled for 2008.
D. Progress Energy Trail Segment D (5.3 miles) – Ulmerton Road to I-275
The Trail through this segment for large sections does not follow the powerline alignment and diverts
around the Mainland's area utilizing a county drainageway corridor and also a County Utilities property
corridor. As the Trail crosses 28th Street, there are negotiations by the city of St. Petersburg for the Trail to
be built by developer Grady Pridgeon through this area to I-275. The crossing of I-275 will require an
overpass, which will more than likely qualify for federal funding.
E. Progress Energy Trail Segment E (2.5 miles) – I-275 to/Weedon Island Preserve and the Connection to the
Friendship Trail
The Trail follows the powerline alignment and there are many opportunities for partnerships to build the
Trail with developers through this area. This will involve cooperation between Pinellas County, the city of
St. Petersburg, Progress Energy and the several developers in the corridor. The Trail will also benefit from
funding opportunities as it proceeds through the Gandy highway improvement projects.
(The above segments A. through E. total 20.6 miles)
F. 83rd Avenue Connector Trail (0.9 miles) – San Martin/Weedon Island to Rio Vista Drive
The Trail proceeds along San Martin as it crosses the bridge and proceeds along 83rd Avenue to the
school at Rio Vista. The Trail will follow the public right-of-way for this county road along the north side in
this area. This segment will require a bridge crossing, but that can be incorporated into the highway bridge
improvement that is much needed at the same location. This will involve cooperation between the city of
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
G. Rio Vista Trail (0.5 miles) – 83rd Avenue to 1st Street
The Trail proceeds along Rio Vista Drive to the city park and then follows the berm on the north side of the
canal to the pedestrian bridge then over the canal to 1st Street. This project would incorporate and amplify
a significant school crossing at Rio Vista at 83rd Avenue and be incorporated into a city park. It would
provide the opportunity for support facilities and parking for the Trail. A significant portion of this Trail has
already been constructed by the city of St. Petersburg.
H. North Bay Trail (6.3 miles) – Rio Vista Park to 1st Avenue South
The Trail proceeds along the public right-of-way of 1st Street. This project will involve a modification of the
four-lane roadway for inclusion of a separated bike path. In the vicinity of 22nd Avenue, the Trail will
proceed through the Coffee Pot Bayou neighborhood and park into the downtown area of St. Petersburg.
The Trail is within City public right-of-way for its entire length. The City is proceeding with the design of this
Trail and has some partial funding for it.
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I. Downtown Connection Trail (1.9 miles) – 1st St. to US 19/ 34th Street
The Trail will first follow 1st Avenue South where a separated bikeway will be constructed along the south
side. At 16th Street, the Trail will follow the CSX newly acquired corridor to U.S. 19. The city of St.
Petersburg is actively pursuing the design and construction of this Trail with a 12 foot pathway be followed
by a 5 foot pedestrian way when funds are available -- the existing school overpass for US 19 will be
utilized to connect to the existing Pinellas Trail until funding can be obtained for a Trail overpass.
J. Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail (34.5 miles) – U.S.19/34th Street to U.S. 19/Anclote River
This is the original section of the Pinellas Trail which was constructed by Pinellas County in the early 1990s
using the funding source of the Penny for Pinellas. The MPO has allocated significant federal funding for
overpasses of major roads and for the Long Bayou crossing that connected St. Petersburg to Seminole.
On the north at the Anclote River, the U.S. 19 improvement of several years ago incorporated an
underpass for the Pinellas Trail providing the opportunity for the Trail to continue east
K. East Avenue Upgrade to the Pinellas Trail (6 blocks) – Druid Road to Drew Street
The current Pinellas Trail follows East Avenue on the east side as a wide sidewalk. The plan calls for
conversion of this segment to be built like the other Trail areas. This is an active rail line area. The
southbound lane of the road would be eliminated and the Trail would be expanded into that area with
adequate buffering to the rail line, while also providing for landscape opportunities. This project would also
be important in that it would serve as an extension of the new city streetscape program on Cleveland Street
in downtown Clearwater.
L. Jasmine/Melon Street Segment 0.8 miles) – U.S. 19 to Keystone Road
The Trail proceeds from the underpass at U.S. 19 and follows public rights-of-way to Keystone Road. This
segment has been recently constructed by Pinellas County. The Trail follows the Live Oak right-of-way to
Jasmine and proceeds on a separate pathway off that road to Melon, then proceeds on a separate pathway
on that corridor to terminate on the north side of Keystone Road.
M. Keystone Road Segment (3.0 miles) – Tarpon Springs City Park to East Lake Road
The Trail is to be built as part of the Keystone Road highway improvement. That project is currently funded
by Pinellas County and the design is being reconfigured based on recent cost increase issues. The Trail
will be a separated pathway and is anticipated to be on the north side of the road. The segment will begin
at Melon Street and will terminate on the west side of the intersection with East Lake Road. The Trail will
use the signalized crossing to connect to the existing Pinellas Trail to the south.
N. East Lake Road Segment (4.8 miles) – Keystone Road to Chesnut Park
The Trail is a separate pathway and is an existing facility located on the west side of East Lake Road for its
length. The Trail passes the entrance to Chesnut Park and terminates at the bridge for Brooker Creek.
The total Pinellas Trail Loop mileage is 74.9 miles.
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