Boca Grande Causeway: Difference between revisions
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The '''Boca Grande Causeway''' is a [[causeway]] located in [[Charlotte County, Florida]] connecting the mainland near [[Placida, Florida|Placida]] with [[Gasparilla Island]] and the community of [[Boca Grande, Florida|Boca Grande]]. The causeway crosses [[Gasparilla Sound]] and consists of three bridges, and is the only vehicular access to the island. |
The '''Boca Grande Causeway''' is a [[causeway]] located in [[Charlotte County, Florida]] connecting the mainland near [[Placida, Florida|Placida]] with [[Gasparilla Island]] and the community of [[Boca Grande, Florida|Boca Grande]]. The causeway crosses [[Gasparilla Sound]] and consists of three bridges, and is the only vehicular access to the island. |
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Revision as of 02:43, 12 October 2012
Boca Grande Causeway | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 26°49′N 82°16′W / 26.82°N 82.27°W |
| Crosses | Gasparilla Sound |
| Locale | Charlotte County, Florida |
| Official name | Boca Grande Causeway |
| Maintained by | Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | 1 steel swing bridge & 2 concrete girder bridges |
| Total length | 2.5 Miles |
| Clearance below | 15 feet (north swing bridge) 12 feet (center bridge) 7 feet (south bridge) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | $6 (island-bound traffic only) |
| Location | |
 | |
The Boca Grande Causeway is a causeway located in Charlotte County, Florida connecting the mainland near Placida with Gasparilla Island and the community of Boca Grande. The causeway crosses Gasparilla Sound and consists of three bridges, and is the only vehicular access to the island.
History
The Boca Grande Causeway opened in 1958 after six years of construction, replacing a ferry service. The causeway is 2.5 miles from end to end. It was privately built, but was sold to the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority in 1998. The northernmost bridge features a 213 ft swing span over the navigation channel, and is one of a few remaining swing bridges in Florida. The swing bridge is 15 feet tall at its highest point. The center and south bridges are fixed span bridges, and are 12 feet and 7 feet tall respectively.
The Boca Grande Causeway was built next to the island's now abandoned railroad line. Three trestles, located just east of the causeway, are mostly still intact today and are visible from the causeway. The railroad line and trestles were built in 1907, and carried freight and passenger service to the island (although passenger service ended soon after the causeway opened). The trestles were abandoned in 1981 when the line closed. The northernmost trestle included a bascule span (which has been removed), and the center trestle included a swing span (which is locked in the open position). Today, the northernmost and southernmost portions of the trestle have been converted into fishing piers while the rest of the structure is blocked off.
Bridge Replacement
The causeway is in the process of being rebuilt due to its age. Construction is currently underway on new south and center bridges, and plans have been made to replace the swing bridge. The swing bridge will be replaced with another swing bridge. The center and south bridges are being replaced with similar structures, and all of the new bridges will be taller and wider to allow for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.