I have seen many long bridges in different parts of the world.
If you ask me, what is the
longest bridge
in Florida over water?
My answer would be the Seven Mile Bridge.
The bridge is about seven miles in length , an iconic bridge that will leave you breathless.
I remembered the first time I was on the bridge, and it seems it will take forever to finish my ride.
In addition, it is a modern bridge and you should not be afraid of driving across it.
The Middle Keys runs parallel to the Florida Overseas Highway.
Getting to the Middle Keys, the bridge runs parallel to the Florida Overseas Highway.
It links
Marathon city and Pigeon Key
, a small island below the bridge.
Old Seven, as it is named by the locals was built in the early 1900s.
It was a part of the Over-Sea rail line of Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys.
The link connected the Island and the mainland for the first time.
It was in 1938 that automobiles were allowed to use the bridge.
In the 1980s its statutes were elevated to becoming a tourist attraction.
The Longest Bridge in Florida Keys : Revealed
The Seven Mile Bridge is the longest in Florida
.
The bridge is located in the
Florida Keys
.
Spanning an astonishing length of approximately 6.
79 miles (but who’s counting, right?
), this bridge links Knight’s Key in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys.
It’s as if a colossal rainbow has materialized across the azure waters, except this time, you won’t find a pot of gold, only schools of vibrant tropical fish swimming below.
But let’s delve deeper into the captivating tale of this engineering marvel.
The original Seven Mile Bridge was constructed in the early 1900s, while the current incarnation emerged in the 1980s, forged with resilience to brave the test of time and the ferocity of hurricanes.
It has become an indispensable lifeline for locals and a haven of thrill for adventurous souls seeking the ultimate driving experience.
Envision yourself journeying across this incredible bridge, feeling as though you’re defying gravity as the world falls away beneath you.
The rhythmic symphony of waves crashing against the pilings serenades your senses, and seagulls swoop playfully overhead, perhaps hoping for a French fry or two.
It’s like riding a rollercoaster suspended above the ocean, minus the loops and the scream-inducing drops, but with an abundance of stunning sunsets that make you feel as if you’ve stumbled into a postcard-worthy dream.
Hold on tight, because the surprises don’t stop at the Seven Mile Bridge.
A stone’s throw away, poised
to astonish you even further, lies the Eight Mile Bridge, an architectural sibling that adds an additional mile of splendor to your road trip
.
Yes, you heard it right – 8 miles of sheer engineering magnificence,
connecting Marathon to Little Duck Key
.
As you traverse this mesmerizing bridge, prepare to be mesmerized by the vistas of the expansive ocean that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Keep your eyes peeled, as dolphins often grace travelers with their graceful presence, leaping through the waves as if putting on a private aquatic ballet just for you.
It’s like stumbling upon a secret dolphin utopia, complete with acrobatic performances that would make Cirque du Soleil green with envy!
How Deep is the Water Under the 7 Mile Bridge
The water beneath the magnificent Seven Mile Bridge in Florida Keys plunges to impressive depths.
As you traverse this engineering marvel, prepare to be awestruck by the underwater world beneath you, where the depths reach approximately 30 feet (9 meters) on the Atlantic side and 20 feet (6 meters) on the Gulf of Mexico side.
It’s like peering into a mesmerizing abyss that teems with marine life and hints at the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.
So, keep your eyes peeled, because you never know what captivating creatures might make an appearance as you journey across this architectural wonder.
The Longest Bridges in Florida: Chart
Length (miles) | Things to Know | |
---|---|---|
Seven Mile Bridge | 6. 77 | Part of the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. |
Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge | 3. 62 | Links Miami to the barrier islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. |
Mid-Bay Bridge | 3. 6 | Connects Niceville and Destin over Choctawhatchee Bay. |
John Ringling Causeway | 3. 6 | Connects Sarasota to St. Armands Key and Lido Key. |
Palm Valley Bridge | 2. 8 | Also known as the J. Turner Butler Boulevard Bridge, it spans the Intracoastal Waterway. |
Emerald Coast Bridge | 2. 5 | Also known as the Marler Bridge, it connects Destin and Okaloosa Island. |
Shands Bridge | 2. 1 | Connects Green Cove Springs and Fleming Island over the St. Johns River . |
Fred Hartman Bridge | 2. 6 | Spans the Houston Ship Channel in Texas, but has ties to Florida. |
Navarre Beach Causeway Bridge | 1. 9 | Provides access to Navarre Beach in Santa Rosa County. |
McDill Air Force Base Bridge | 1. 5 | Located in Tampa, Florida, it provides access to McDill Air Force Base. |
JFK Causeway Bridge | 1. 7 | Named after President John F. Kennedy, it spans the Banana River . |
Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 1. 1 | Replaced the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge after a tragic collapse in 1980. |
Mathews Bridge | 1. 46 | Offers stunning views of the Jacksonville skyline. |
Ortega River Bridge | 1. 25 | Located in Jacksonville, it crosses the Ortega River. |
Roosevelt Bridge | 2. 35 | Spans the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida. |
Sunshine Skyway Bridge | 4. 1 | The bridge connects St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia. |
Where is the 7 Mile bridge in Florida?
You will see the Seven
Mile Bridge
in Monroe City, Florida.
This bridge is one of the icons you will see in the keys of Florida.
It links Knight’s Key in the Middle Keys and Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys.
The building of the bridge was completed in 1982, and by then it was the longest bridge in the world that has a continuous concrete segment.
Today, it is still rated among the longest segmental bridges in the world.
The bridge is two bridges in one.
One is the older bridge named the Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge which was constructed between 1909 and 1912.
This bridge was a part of the overseas railroad.
When the railroad had significant damage on the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, the bridge was reserved for automobile use only, after it we refurbished.
Some tracks were removed and recycled.
They were used as guardrails after they were painted white.
The bridge was installed with a swing span that opens to give access to boat passages.
This swing span is at the point of
crossing the bridge
with Pigeon Key.
It was on this small Island of Pigeon Key that the
Florida East Coast Railway used as a work camp
.
Recreation Activities on the Bridge
The bridge has provisions for recreational opportunities, and the small Island of Pigeon Key is another beautiful spot to visit.
Flagler’s railroad had about 400 of its workers living on this Island.
Presently the recreational activities available on this island include snorkeling, bird-watching, and fishing off the pier.
There is a small museum on the Island that has artifacts that are as old as the history of the island itself.
There is a 60-passenger capacity tram that visits the Island by spring.
Coming to Pigeon Key is stepping back in time.
It is an Island you will love to walk around on, see those old structures, and be in the places people of history were more than 100 years ago.
The small Island of Pigeon Key and the bridge that crossed it are both recorded on the National Register of Historic Places.
Through the efforts of Henry Flagler, their significance is now made known.
Henry Flagler is one of the people that made Florida what it is today.
He saw the tourism potential in Florida early in time.
He was one of the brains behind
most of the magnificent buildings in the state like the Hotel Ponce de León in St Augustine
, and the Breakers, located in Palm Beach.
The popularity of the old bridge is still intact.
Both residents and tourists visit this bridge.
Unfortunately, the bridge is gradually falling apart.
It is being eroded by salt water and storm, and the state government is not proactive enough to get it repaired.
A good part of the bridge is presently closed to traffic.
The only section in use today is about 2.
2-mile, and it is used by only pedestrians and cyclists.
The Longest Bridge in the World Over Water
Introducing the mighty Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, a true titan among bridges.
Spanning an astonishing length of approximately 102.
4 miles (164.
8 kilometers), this engineering masterpiece stretches across the sprawling waters of the Yangtze River Delta, linking the cities of Danyang and Kunshan.
To put its colossal scale into perspective, imagine driving on a road that seems to have no end, where the horizon merges seamlessly with the bridge itself.
You’ll traverse vast stretches of water, meandering rivers, and even see distant islands dotting the landscape.
It’s like embarking on an epic odyssey, where the bridge becomes an extension of the land, blurring the boundaries between earth and water.
Constructed with meticulous precision and utilizing advanced engineering techniques, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge showcases the remarkable capabilities of human innovation.
It’s a testament to our ability to overcome geographical obstacles and connect communities that were once separated by vast bodies of water.
To truly appreciate the enormity of this bridge, let’s delve into some jaw-dropping statistics.
The bridge is supported by over 1,000 piers, strategically positioned to bear the weight and withstand the forces exerted by nature.
If you were
to lay out all the materials used in the construction, it would require enough steel to build 50 Eiffel Towers
or enough concrete to construct 22 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
That’s mind-boggling!
Imagine driving across this architectural marvel, as the landscape unfolds before your eyes.
From picturesque countryside to bustling urban centers, you’ll witness the diverse tapestry of China’s magnificent vistas.
The journey will be a visual feast, offering glimpses of vibrant riverbanks, shimmering lakes, and bustling cityscapes.
It’s like embarking on a voyage that traverses not only water but also cultural and geographical landscapes.
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities of human achievement.
It represents our relentless pursuit of progress, our determination to conquer the challenges presented by nature, and our unwavering commitment to connect people and places.
So, take a moment to marvel at this incredible feat of engineering, and let it inspire you to dream big and reach new horizons.
FAQs
How deep is the water at the 7 Mile bridge?
The water below
Seven Mile Bridge
is between 18 and 22-ft.
deep.
The water below the Bahia Honda Bridge, which is a bit longer than a mile is 20 to 30-ft.
deep.
How Deep Is Florida Keys water?
The depth of the western side of the bay is between 7 and 13 feet.
There are a lot of loggerhead sponges and turtle grass at the bottom.
The
Everglades National Park
has a part of its protected area extending to the northern part of Florida Bay.
How deep is the ocean in Key West?
The harbor of the ocean in
Key West
is between 13 to 34 feet deep.
You gain access to it through the breaks in the reef.
Vacationers go on a winter vacation to Key West, close to the western end of the
Florida Keys
.