| Revision as of 18:55, 21 February 2013 editBill william compton (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, File movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers29,264 editsm Reverted edit(s) by 66.84.103.38 identified as test/vandalism using STiki← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:45, 4 April 2013 edit undo208.163.217.91 (talk) added history section and some updated referencesNext edit → | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| The '''Jewfish Creek Bridge''' is a bridge in the ]. Spanning both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise, it carries the ] (]) between the ] and the Florida mainland. | The '''Jewfish Creek Bridge''' is a bridge in the ]. Spanning both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise, it carries the ] (]) between the ] and the Florida mainland. The bridge is 65 feet tall and opened in 2008, replacing a small drawbridge. | ||
| ==History== | |||
| ⚫ | The current structure |
||
| The original Jewfish Creek drawbridge opened for traffic in 1944 along with the current stretch of the Overseas Highway between Florida City and Key Largo (locally known as the 18 Mile Stretch). Prior to this, the Overseas Highway was connected to the mainland via the nearby ] (which at the time was also a small drawbridge). The current route was built along the original right of way of the ], which shortened the driving distance between Florida City and Key Largo by nearly 14 miles. The main reason for rerouting the Overseas Highway was ]. Because of the war, the ], who still have a large presence in ], needed an improved access to the mainland. | |||
| The original Card Sound Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic after the completion of the Jewfish Creek Bridge and it was destroyed by a fire shortly afterward. The current Card Sound Bridge opened in 1969, restoring the original route and giving the Florida Keys two vehicular accesses to the mainland.<ref></ref> | |||
| The current span opened on May 22, 2008, replacing a small ] spanning Jewfish creek, which had been in operation since 1944.<ref name="Bauer">{{cite news | |||
| The Jewfish Creek drawbridge was replaced by the current bridge on May 22, 2008.<ref name="Bauer">{{cite news | |||
| | last =Bauer | | last =Bauer | ||
| | first =Marilyn | | first =Marilyn | ||
| Line 45: | Line 48: | ||
| | date =2008-06-01 | | date =2008-06-01 | ||
| | url =http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jun/01/travel-411-new-jewfish-creek-bridge-opens/ | | url =http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jun/01/travel-411-new-jewfish-creek-bridge-opens/ | ||
| | accessdate =}}</ref> | |||
| | accessdate =}}</ref> The drawbridge was notorious for causing major traffic delays along the Overseas Highway. The span also replaced the Lake Surprise Causeway, since it spans both bodies of water due to its height (the causeway was removed to restore natural water flow). Exit ramps connect the new bridge with the land between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise. | |||
| ==Features== | |||
| ⚫ | The current structure is 65 feet tall. It carries two lanes separated by a ], and also features outside berms to prevent road pollutants from entering ]. Due to the height of the bridge, it spans both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise. The current bridge allowed for the the removal of the man-make Lake Surprise Causeway, which restored natural water flow into ]. Although, the bridge now bypasses the land between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise known as ], which is home to a marina and other businesses. Exit ramps exist off of the main bridge provide access to Jewfish. | ||
| The side and median barriers of the bridge were painted "Belize Blue," which was recommended by marine artist ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 4 April 2013
Bridge in Key Largo, Florida| Jewfish Creek Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 25°10′53″N 80°23′00″W / 25.1813°N 80.3834°W / 25.1813; -80.3834 |
| Carries |  US 1 (Overseas Highway) |
| Crosses | Jewfish Creek Lake Surprise |
| Locale | Key Largo, Florida |
| Official name | Jewfish Creek Bridge |
| Maintained by | Florida Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Concrete Girder Bridge |
| Clearance above | 65 Feet |
| History | |
| Opened | 1944 (original bridge) May 22, 2008 (current bridge) |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | None |
| Location | |
The Jewfish Creek Bridge is a bridge in the Florida Keys. Spanning both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise, it carries the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) between the Florida Keys and the Florida mainland. The bridge is 65 feet tall and opened in 2008, replacing a small drawbridge.
History
The original Jewfish Creek drawbridge opened for traffic in 1944 along with the current stretch of the Overseas Highway between Florida City and Key Largo (locally known as the 18 Mile Stretch). Prior to this, the Overseas Highway was connected to the mainland via the nearby Card Sound Bridge (which at the time was also a small drawbridge). The current route was built along the original right of way of the Overseas Railroad, which shortened the driving distance between Florida City and Key Largo by nearly 14 miles. The main reason for rerouting the Overseas Highway was World War II. Because of the war, the United States Navy, who still have a large presence in Key West, needed an improved access to the mainland.
The original Card Sound Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic after the completion of the Jewfish Creek Bridge and it was destroyed by a fire shortly afterward. The current Card Sound Bridge opened in 1969, restoring the original route and giving the Florida Keys two vehicular accesses to the mainland.
The Jewfish Creek drawbridge was replaced by the current bridge on May 22, 2008.
Features
The current structure is 65 feet tall. It carries two lanes separated by a Jersey barrier, and also features outside berms to prevent road pollutants from entering Florida Bay. Due to the height of the bridge, it spans both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise. The current bridge allowed for the the removal of the man-make Lake Surprise Causeway, which restored natural water flow into Florida Bay. Although, the bridge now bypasses the land between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise known as Jewfish, which is home to a marina and other businesses. Exit ramps exist off of the main bridge provide access to Jewfish.
The side and median barriers of the bridge were painted "Belize Blue," which was recommended by marine artist Wyland.
Gallery
-
North side of the bridge
-
Top of the bridge
-
Exit ramps connecting area between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise
References
- History of Overseas Highway
- Bauer, Marilyn (2008-06-01). "Travel 411: New Jewfish Creek Bridge opens". TCPalm.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - New $330 Million Road to Florida Keys Completed
| Bridges and tunnels in Florida | |
|---|---|
| Panhandle | |
| North | |
| West Central | |
| East Central | |
| South | |
| Southwest | |
| Keys | |
| Tunnels | |
| Ferries | |
| Lists | |
| |
 | This article relating to the United States Numbered Highway System is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |