Thursday, August 9, 2012

Bridges of Jacksonville to Explore

By Elden Rosen


Jacksonville boasts a great variety of visually and architecturally interesting bridges, from simple functional beauty to majestic sophistication and creativity. There many noteworthy bridges in Jacksonville, including the longest concrete wire bridge in the U. S. at the Dawes Point Bridge, which spans 2 miles across the St. John's Brook. The bridges of Jacksonville are certainly something that will encounter on your visit to Florida, and here are some of the most unique bridges in the county.

Acosta Bridge

The Acosta Bridge was opened in 1994, and replaced the 3 lane St. John's Stream Bridge. Its 151 foot width carries the 6 lanes of SR13, along with the two lines of the JTA Skyway monorail, as well as 2 sidewalks. The bridge, made of pre-stressed concrete, spans 1,645 feet, and took 4 years to build.

Dames Point Bridge

Debatably one of the most lovely of the Jacksonville bridges, the Dames Point Bridge is a cable stayed bridge which combines architectural innovation with elegance. It was only the 3rd wire stayed bridge built in the Western hemisphere when it opened in 1989. It stands up to 160 feet above St. John's Brook, and has a total span of 10,646 feet.

Main Street Bridge

Found in downtown Jacksonville, the Main Street Bridge was originally created in 1941, it's a steel lift bridge, meaning that it can raise and lower to allow brook traffic to pass through. It spans 1,680 feet and carries the four lane US Route 1/US90. It was actually the second of the Jacksonville bridges to be constructed, and although renamed for Mayor John T. Alsop, Jr, in 1957, it is still referred to most generally as the Main Street Bridge.

FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge

Completed in 1925, the FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge is among the oldest bridges in Jacksonville. Although it does not command the same attention as other better known bridges, it does have a straightforward, functional beauty. It is a simple truss bridge which carries the Florida East Coast Train line, and has a bascule lift which enables the shipping to move through along the St. John's River. Not usually counted in among the major bridges of Jacksonville, it does nonetheless have its own gritty charm.

Fuller Warren Bridge

Carrying the I-95 across the St. John's brook, the Fuller Warren Bridge was finished in 2002, and replaced the previous bascule bridge which had functioned since 1954. It is a segmental, prestressed concrete girder bridge carrying eight lanes, and spanning a formidable 7,500 feet. This bridge is a modern wonder and it could be fun taking the family over while on your stay in Jacksonville.




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