SR 60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway) Old Tampa Bay Water Quality Improvement Project

The SR 60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway) Old Tampa Bay Water Quality Improvement Project, completed in 2019 by Johnson Bros. Corporation, involved constructing a 229-foot bridge opening to significantly enhance water circulation in a portion of Old Tampa Bay. Located west of Ben T. Davis Beach, this new bridge section was essential for addressing water stagnation in the adjacent bay area, where restricted tidal flow had led to decreased water quality. Pollution from stormwater runoff and other sources had been accumulating, disrupting the bay’s natural filtration processes. The new bridge opening was designed to allow full tidal flow within a year of the project’s start, restoring natural water movement and improving water quality in this critical habitat.
Given that SR 60 is one of Tampa’s most heavily trafficked roadways, including a popular multi-use path, the project required meticulous planning to avoid disruptions. Construction phasing was carefully managed to maintain traffic flow for vehicles and pedestrians alike. A complex maintenance of traffic (MOT) strategy was implemented, along with enhanced safety measures, ensuring seamless operations on this high-use corridor throughout construction.
The bridge itself features a thoughtfully designed cross-section: three 12-foot-wide lanes for eastbound traffic, two 12-foot-wide lanes for westbound traffic, 10-foot-wide outside shoulders, 8-foot-wide inside shoulders, a 16-foot access road on the westbound side, and a 12-foot-wide multi-use trail on the eastbound side. The low-level, three-span precast concrete girder superstructure is situated within the splash zone of a highly corrosive environment, exposing it to uplift forces from wave action during storm events. To ensure the bridge could withstand these harsh conditions, advanced engineering techniques were applied, including 48-inch diameter drilled shafts, beam restrainer lugs, and stainless-steel reinforcement. These special design features were incorporated to meet the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) requirement for a 75-year structure lifespan.
In addition to the bridge, the project’s scope covered seawall construction, roadway reconstruction, utility relocation, and significant improvements to the existing drainage system. These comprehensive upgrades ensure the long-term resilience and functionality of the causeway infrastructure.
The project earned high accolades, winning the 2019 Best Overall Design-Build Project of the Year and the Transportation – Structures Design-Build Project of the Year by the Design-Build Institute of America Florida Region. This recognition highlights the project’s innovative design and successful integration of environmental and traffic considerations in one of Tampa’s key transportation corridors.