The history of transportation construction is really the history of figuring out how to get stuff to places that are hard to reach, and the Florida Keys presented a constant challenge. Pigeon Key is located betw… A stop at this wide, arching span, completed in 1985 at a cost of more than $45 million, is a rewarding and relaxing break on the drive south. The bunkhouses are still there. More than 400 bodies were recovered. Only the locomotive, which weighed 320,000 pounds, stood up to the storm. Hurricane Donna in 1960 caused further damage. The Seven Mile Bridge Run in the Florida Keys is back after being cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Btw MMs 40 and 47 on U.S. 1, FL. The bridge has been featured in films and television series, such as Licence to Kill,[7] True Lies,[8][9] 2 Fast 2 Furious,[10] and Burn Notice. The remainder of the bridge is considerably closer to the water surface. “Now I can die happy,” Flagler whispered to a friend. Some of these buildings remain from Pigeon Keys incarnation as a work camp for the Florida East Coast Railway. The structure was completed six months ahead of schedule and has earned eight awards, including an Exceptional Award for Cost Savings Innovation from the Federal Highway Administration.[6]. No need to be scared. By 1896, his train was going all the way to Miami. Each April the bridge is closed for approximately 2.5 hours on a Saturday and a "fun run," known as the Seven Mile Bridge Run, of 1,500 runners is held commemorating the Florida Keys bridge rebuilding project. “Just watch me,’’ was Flagler’s credo. In the 200-mph winds, Bernie watched his mother blow away. | Contact Us. The total length of the new bridge is actually 35,862 ft (10,931 m) or 6.79 miles (10.93 km), and is shorter than the original. Die Seven Mile Bridge ist die längste Brücke des Overseas Highways, der die Inseln der Florida Keys miteinander verbindet. [2] By 2017 the pedestrian section was closed, with extensive repairs predicted to be finished by about late 2021.[4]. Bridge in Florida, United States of America, Seven Mile Bridge with the original in the foreground, "In the Keys, New Plans for an Old Bridge", "Florida Keys: The Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon", "Fiery crash reminds residents of isolation", "New Netflix Series and Others Spotlight the Florida Keys", "2 Fast 2 Furious - Production Notes Page 2", Seven Mile Bridge, Linking Florida Keys, Knight Key, Monroe County, FL, Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Seven_Mile_Bridge&oldid=1009755899, Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System, Historic American Engineering Record in Florida, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Pages using infobox bridge with unknown parameters, Articles to be expanded from October 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 March 2021, at 04:03. Everybody was bitten by mosquitoes. It is actually 6.79 miles long. Bahia Honda State Park: Crossing over the Seven Mile Bridge will see you land in this beautiful oceanside park. That wasn’t good enough. The race, however, will only be open to those that were successfully registered (and were not disqualified for various reasons) for the 2020 run. Finished in 1982, the longest bridge in the Florida Keys is wide enough to give a motorist room to pull over to change a flat tire and steal many glances at the perfectly green water. “Flagler’s Folly.’’ That’s what a lot of folks called it. But it was a great adventure, standing on the long bridge, looking down into water clear enough to see passing sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, endangered sawfish. Divers wearing helmets positioned underwater structures. The original bridge I grew up crossing was less friendly, narrow and harrowing, requiring concentration and a good grip on the steering wheel as you left Marathon Key on your way to Key West and suddenly found yourself driving over the ocean. Bernie Russell lost more than 40 relatives. Until 1982, when the sleek new bridge opened, it was the only road cars could take to Key West. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. About our rating system. It connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. Pigeon Key is a 5 acre island, located at approximately MM45, in the Florida Keys. Most had drowned though others were killed by flying debris. Dismantled trackage was recycled, painted white, and used as guardrails. Some 1,000 participants representing dozens of U.S. states competed in the 40th annual Seven Mile Bridge Run Saturday, crossing the longest of … Completed in 1912, the old structure, initially a railroad bridge, was known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World’’ because even attempting to build something so ambitious over miles of open water and a soft bottom in a harsh tropical climate seemed a bit nutty. Other relatives disappeared in the howl of wind-driven rain. In the morning, they saw that virtually every palm tree on the island was snapped in half. The buildings are used today for housing for educational groups as well as administrative offices of the non-profit Pigeon Key Foundation. Near the center, the bridge rises in an arc to provide 65-foot (20 m)-high clearance for boat passage. The current road bridge was constructed from 1978 to 1982. Our Rating. Barges swung in the current as workers tried to keep their balance. It’s modern now. Pigeon Key contains 8 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Flagler sent away to England for a kind of cement capable of drying underwater. “My dream is fulfilled.’’ Seven Mile Bridge,Marathon Key,Key West,Florida,Florida Keys,Bridge,Panoramic,Ocean,Turquoise,Clouds,Blue,Canvas,Metal,Wall Art,Canvas Art LeAnnStamper 5 out of 5 stars (122) $ 40.00. The road is public, and there is no toll charge. The death of Flagler’s railroad happened on Labor Day in 1935. The original railway bridge built in 1900 by Henry Flagler to take people down to Key West was seven miles and it was damaged in a 1935 hurricane that killed 400 people. Flagler, 82, stepped out of his private car with his young wife. A ferry will take you to the island and a guide will show you around. They had to wade through swamps where boots sank into the mud as crocodiles slipped off the banks. Go ahead and drive over the Seven Mile Bridge. Only 1 available and it's in 6 people's carts. The Seven Mile Bridge Run in the Florida Keys is back after being cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Only the pelicans and great blue herons use it as a perch. Stop at the state park here and to experience a beach frequently listed as one of the most beautiful in the United States. Unsupported sections were added in 1935 to widen it for vehicular traffic. Smart drivers kept eyes on the oncoming traffic instead of nature. The total length of the new bridge is actually 35,862 ft (10,931 m) or 6.79 miles (10.93 km), and is shorter than the original. The railroad cars were blown off the track. The bridge was a good place for dreamers. He wanted his railroad to go another 100 miles or so south – to Key West. Each April, the bridge is closed for about 2.5 hours on a Saturday for the Seven Mile Bridge Run that commemorates the Florida Keys bridge rebuilding project. Seven Mile Bridge: If you’re looking for a prolific spot to explore, this iconic bridge should be at the top of your list. The Seven Mile Bridge Run is a family-friendly event that has been taking place since 1982 as a celebration of the bridge. Among the longest bridges in existence when it was built, it is part of the Overseas Highway in the Keys, which is part of the 2,369-mile (3,813 km) U.S. Route 1. The race, however, will only be open to those that were successfully registered (and were not disqualified for various reasons) for the 2020 run. The bridge carries the Florida Keys aqueduct, supplying water to points west, as well as fiber optic cables, providing telecommunications to and from the lower Keys.[5]. I don’t remember catching much. Fish love congregating in the waters around the bridge, and it’s especially good for Tarpon fishing. The wind rose and the tide creeped into buildings. It began when the barometer started dropping. In the 19th century he came to Florida, built a hotel in St. Augustine and founded the Florida East Coast Railway. Built in 1982, the Seven Mile Bridge actually consisted of two bridges in the same location. 7 News WSVN (WSVN) - Locals and visitors of the Florida Keys should be aware that the Seven Mile Bridge will be shut down for some time on Saturday due to a popular event. Some workers died of heatstroke and snakebite. Seven Mile Bridge. MARATHON, Fla. (NBC) — Around 1,000 runners took part in the 40th annual Seven Mile Bridge Run in the Florida Keys Saturday morning. Sie ist 10.931 Meter (6,79 Meilen) lang und liegt zwischen den Inseln Vaca Key im Stadtgebiet von Marathon und Bahia Honda . Located at the very west end of the City of Marathon is the Seven Mile Bridge. The film shows the 7-mile bridge and excellent aerial shots of the Keys, as well as The Ernest Hemingway House, Mallory Square and the U.S. Coast Guard Pier. There are two bridges in this location. Do it. Jeff Klinkenberg. I lived in Key West during the summer of 1954. (I vividly. In 1908, the workers reached Marathon Key where about seven miles of open water lay ahead. Seven Mile Bridge Address: Seven Mile Bridge, Florida, United States, Marathon. Somehow he and his dad survived. Officials from the railroad had dispatched a train to evacuate residents and 800 World War I veterans who were living in tents and working on a new road near the railroad tracks. Years ago, I spent a day with Bernie Russell, whose family – 53 brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins – lived on Matecumbe as commercial fishermen and Key lime growers. Part of Henry Flagler’s famous railway to Key West, it ran across nearly seven … The fixed highway bridge south of the swing span has a clearance of 65 feet. It connects Knight's Key with Little Duck Key. It sold the railroad line to the U.S. Government. It had a swing span to allow passage of boats in the Moser Channel of the Intracoastal Waterway, near where the bridge crosses Pigeon Key, a small island that held a work camp for Flagler's railroad. Hotels near Old Seven Mile Bridge: (3.81 mi) Courtyard by Marriott Marathon Florida Keys (2.73 mi) Isla Bella Beach Resort (6.66 mi) Seascape Resort and Marina (4.64 mi) Marlin Bay Resort & Marina (3.43 mi) Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway; View all hotels near Old Seven Mile Bridge on Tripadvisor All rights reserved. MIAMI (CBSMiami) – About 1,000 people representing dozens of U.S. states competed in the 40th annual Seven Mile Bridge Run Saturday in the Florida Keys. Nobody knew that the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the United States was on its way. Go ahead and drive over the Seven Mile Bridge. He told me what happened as the eye of the hurricane got closer. The vast majority of the original bridge still exists, although the swing span has been removed. Of the many bridges that connect the FL Keys, the Seven mile bridge is the longest. The former Assistant Bridge Tender’s house has been converted into a museum. It left its mark on me. Henry Morrison Flagler, a craggy, white-haired business genius who made his fortune in the oil business, hadn’t gotten rich by being cautious. Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, it … He never saw her again. Copyright © 2021 VISIT FLORIDA. The older bridge, originally known as the Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge, was constructed from 1909 to 1912 under the direction of Henry Flagler and Clarence S. Coe as part of the Florida East Coast Railway's Key West Extension, also known as the Overseas Railroad. The 40th Annual 7 Mile Bridge Run will take place this year on April 17th as planned! Old Seven-Mile Bridge. 40th Annual 7 Mile Bridge Run. The Florida Keys are absolutely spectacular. Russell, two siblings and his parents, abandoned a crumbling fruit packing house and made a run for the railroad tracks at the high point of the island. The modern bridge is open to vehicular traffic; the older one only to pedestrians and cyclists. Starting in 1905, he spent $30 million of his own money to lay track and build dozens of bridges, hiring 4,000 workers for the small fortune of $1.50 a day. The swing span of Seven Mile Bridge across Mose r Channel has been removed; but the bridge piers remain. Flagler’s civil engineers had to invent new technology as they went along. Time required to visit Seven Mile Bridge: 02:00 Hrs. Seven-Mile Bridge. The race is set for Saturday morning with protocols in … A roadway was placed over the surviving railroad bed and broken track became the guardrails on the new motorist bridges. At their disposal were two steamships, tugboats, paddle wheelers, dredges, launches and a catamaran. The Seven Mile Bridge Run will be shutdown for the annual bridge run which was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Seven Mile Bridge begins in Marathon and runs for just shy of 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) until it reaches Little Duck Key. The Overseas Highway, as it still is called, opened in 1938. The 2.2-mile (3.5 km) section to Pigeon Key, used as a fishing pier and long open to motorized vehicles to give access to the key, was closed to motorized traffic in 2008 after the unsupported sections began to sag. Today, the legacy of this long story is embodied in the Seven Mile Br… Built alongside the ruins of oil magnate Henry Flagler’s incredible Overseas Railroad, the “new” bridge (btw. The 7-mile bridge makes a few appearances, the most climactic when a bribed U.S. agent drives a police truck off the bridge … I grew up in Miami, but the Keys remained my playground, a place to camp and fish and study nature and history. The Seven Mile Bridge was easily converted by the state of Florida to an automotive bridge — that’s the surface you bike or. The Seven Mile Bridge is a bridge in the Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, United States. As you drive over the modern bridge now you can see the old bridge nearby. [3] In 2014, the Florida Department of Transportation approved a $77 million plan to restore the old bridge. They slept in tents and in bunkhouses Flagler built on Pigeon Key, about two miles from shore. walk today. The bridge seemed too constricted for two passing cars. It is a famous bridge in the Florida Keys and connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys and is among the longest bridges in existence when it was built. Not every bit, but enough that the Florida East Coast Railway decided to end service to the Keys. VISIT FLORIDA® is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! It’s modern now. Seven Mile Bridge Timing: 24-hrs. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Seven Mile Bridge: Miami to Key West Day Trip with Optional Activities (From $39.00) From Miami: Key West with options like Snorkel with unlimited drinks (From $69.30) Key West Day Trip from Miami with Optional Activities (From $49.00) The tidal current at the bridge has a velocity of about 1.4 to 1.8 knots. No need to be scared. The new bridge is a box-girder structure built from precast, prestressed concrete sections, comprising 440 spans. MARATHON, FL – SEPTEMBER 19: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In … 40th Annual 7 Mile Bridge Run April 17, 2021. MARATHON, Fla. (AP) — The Seven Mile Bridge … The old bridge was completed in 1912 and was originally given the name Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge (a mouthful of a name, we know! The Seven Mile Bridge is part of the Overseas Highway. When the Old Seven Mile Bridge was built, it was an engineering wonder of the early 1900s. Just a few grunt and snapper. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. The Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys will be shut down temporarily Wednesday night into Thursday morning for repairs. The new bridge does not cross Pigeon Key. You’ll learn that on Jan. 28, 1916, the train rumbled to a stop in Key West. When I was a kid, my dad would park the car at the end of Marathon and we’d carry our fishing poles and bait bucket out on the Seven Mile Bridge. When I drive across the New Seven Mile Bridge now I crane my neck to look at the Old Seven Mile Bridge. The Seven Mile Bridge Run in the Florida Keys returned Saturday after being cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. It swept across Matecumbe Key, in the Central Keys, that evening. It connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. The 40th Annual 7 Mile Bridge Run will take place this year on April 17th as planned! After the Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmental bridges in the world, the vast sweep of the Straits of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico can easily be seen from Bahia Honda Bridge. After the railroad was damaged by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, the line was sold to the United States government, which refurbished Seven Mile Bridge for automobile use. Best time to visit Seven Mile Bridge (preferred time): 04:00 pm - 08:00 pm. But for some of us, the old bridge reminds us that the Keys have always been a place for dreamers and schemers who didn’t like to be told “You can never do that.” The Seven Mile Bridge was engineered by Figg & Muller Engineers (who also engineered the much taller Sunshine Skyway Bridge). Among the longest bridges in existence when it was built, it is part of the Overseas Highway in the Keys, which is part of the 2,369-mile (3,813 km) U.S. Route 1.[1][2]. The Seven Mile Bridge is a bridge in the Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Dreams die hard in the Keys. Finished in 1982, the longest bridge in the Florida Keys is wide enough to give a motorist room to pull over to change a flat tire and steal many glances at the perfectly green water.. The event began in 1982 to commemorate the completion of a federally funded bridge building program that replaced spans that oil tycoon Henry Flagler constructed in the early 1900s to serve as a foundation for his Overseas Railroad. With the sparkling waters, soft sand, and warm sun there's really just one problem: they're a little hard to get to, or at least, they used to be. Folks were chronically hungry and thirsty.