History
The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) and Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) railroads both served St. Petersburg and Clearwater for many years. They later joined CSX Transportation, who consolidated the existing infrastructure. This resulted in the abandonment of 34 miles worth of trackage, which was purchased by the Florida Department of Transportation. After voter approval, the County acquired the property, and began construction of the Pinellas Trail.
The first five miles (8 km) opened in December 1990, linking Taylor Park to Seminole Park. With the passage of the first Penny for Pinellas one-cent local option sales tax, plans were made to connect the construct additional segments along the railway corridor.
The Pinellas Trail is composed of the following railroad segments:
- former SAL to the east of Tarpon Springs
- former ACL from Tarpon Springs to Clearwater
- former SAL into St. Petersburg
Read more about this topic: Pinellas Trail
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