Treasure Island Florida Beach Trail

Gulf Beach News

New Beach Trail

T I Beach Bums has learned from reliable sources that the Florida Department of Transportation will take over the planned expansion of Treasure Island’s beachfront trail.

The trail’s opponents have claimed that the trail’s expansion is actually constructing a cement road on Treasure Island’s beach. Apparently this over blown attempt of misinforming the public is in fact, going to be a reality.

According to our sources, FDOT is planning to create a 4 lane highway on Treasure Treasure Island Florida Beach Trail Island’s beach. The highway which will be called “The Beachfront Expressway” is expected to wisp drivers from the parking lot of the former Holiday Inn to the Trails End Park in seconds. The highway will have a 10 foot median which will have guardrails separating the north and southbound lanes. Elevated pedestrian walkways will be built approx. every 300 feet allowing beach goers safe access to the shoreline.

The “Beachfront Expressway” will be paved with asphalt and 4 luxurious lanes wide enough to handle sixteen wheel trucks with a paved shoulder and a paved rest area which will be located just behind the Island Inn. The rest area will have ample parking for weary drivers to pull off and rest. The rest area will also have a concession building which will house vending machines, telephones, traveler information and bathrooms with showers. Both the Beachfront Expressway and the rest area will be lighted at night.

FDOT is also in the process of bidding out a fully equipped truck stop which will be located behind the Bilmar. The truck stop will have several gas islands with both gasoline and diesel fuel along with a full sized car/truck wash and a 24 hour diner.

The Beachfront Expressway will tentatively have a 70mph speed limit and will be patrolled 24/7 by the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to FDOT sources construction will begin Memorial Day weekend and will take approximately six years to complete during which time the beach will close to everyone except construction workers.