Old Pinellas Bayway Bridge Becomes an Artificial Reef

About 12,000 tons of the old Pinellas Bayway Bridge is now underwater, supporting marine life.

The bridge material was donated by Orion Marine Group Inc., who was contracted by the Florida Department of Transportation to demolish the old Bayway bridge and construct a new four-lane high level bridge.

Officials deployed the materials between May and September and now part of the of bridge is part of the South County Reef.

The reefs provide valuable underwater habitats for marine life. 

According to Pinellas County Officials, there are 43 reef sites along the gulf coast of Pinellas County from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete Beach, located from 200 yards to 38 miles offshore, and one in Tampa Bay located northeast of the St. Petersburg Municipal Pier. 

The Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program is managed by Pinellas County Solid Waste in coordination with state and federal agencies.

The attached video, courtesy of Pinellas County, can also be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADMQKeQhPZo. The video shows how the old Pinellas Bayway bridge became part of Pinellas County’s artificial reef - including underwater video.  

For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/reef or call (727) 464-7500.