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This bridge is an attractive, impressive, and regionally rare example of a through truss swing bridge. At either end of the swing span is a pony truss approach span. Additional approach spans are concrete t-beam spans.
The Pensacola Shipbuilding Company of Pensacola, Florida was the contractor for the bridge. Virginia Bridge and Iron Company fabricated and erected the trusses, while A. Bentley and Sons of Toledo, Ohio erected the substructure and approaches. Learn about A. Bentley and Sons of Toledo, Ohio on another bridge's page.
US-17 and this bridge were part of the main federal highway into Florida for travelers from the Northeastern United States when first built. Therefore, this bridge is significant as part of an early alignment of a major travel corridor that has a major economic effect on Florida. I-95 serves the purpose of US-17 today.
The bridge was rehabilitated in 2005. A lot of rivets were replaced with bolts including as part of member strengthening in some areas. At the same time, it was interesting to note that a couple isolated areas of complete section loss were not repaired and were simply painted over. Overall however, the bridge is a good example of a rehabilitated historic truss bridge. The bridge's hand-turned movable components appear to be maintained in working condition, and new equipment (likely dating to the 2005 rehabilitation) for greasing rollers and bearings were observed, suggesting the bridge can still be operated. At the same time, it is questionable whether the bridge ever does operate. If it does, it would be a major operation requiring temporary barricades since there are no gates at the ends of the bridge.
Be sure to view the extensive photo gallery for this bridge which includes detail photos of all mechanical components on the swing pier.
Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):
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Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.
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