Francis P. Whitehair Bridge

The Francis P. Whitehair Bridge, also known as the Crows Bluff Bridge, is a double leaf bascule bridge located in Crows Bluff, Florida that carries State Road 44 over the St. Johns River. The original bridge on the site was constructed in 1917; replaced in 1955, and though it was previously expected to remain in service until the 2050s,[1] a new version of the bridge is under construction.[2]

Francis P. Whitehair Bridge
The Whitehair Bridge in its open position
Coordinates29.0088°N 81.3821°W / 29.0088; -81.3821
Carries SR 44
(two general purpose lanes)
CrossesSt. Johns River
LocaleCrows Bluff, Florida
Official nameFrancis P. Whitehair Bridge
Maintained byFlorida Department of Transportation
ID number110603
Characteristics
DesignDouble leaf bascule bridge
Total length525 feet (160 m)
Clearance below17 feet (5.2 m)
History
OpenedSeptember 1955
Location

History

The original Crows Bluff Bridge was a swing span bridge; constructed in 1917,[3] in 1926 it became a free crossing.[4] In 1954, a plan for construction of a replacement bridge was established;[5] the new bridge, dedicated to DeLand resident Francis P. Whitehair, opened on September 22, 1955.[6]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the bridge was closed several times for repairs.[7][8][9]

A 1993 truck accident damaged the bridge, requiring repairs to its guardrails.[10] In 2006 a truck caused damage to the bridge's support beams in another accident;[11] the damage was repaired within a week.[12]

References
  1. Williamson, Ronald (December 11, 2004). "Where two paths converge". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. p. 1C. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  2. SR 44 over the St. Johns River Bridge (Florida Department of Transportation)
  3. "Old span". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. September 17, 1967. p. 9A. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  4. "Two Volusia-Lake County Bridges Scheduled to Be Free of Charge". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, FL. May 29, 1926. p. 12A. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  5. "Bids Asked On Bridge". The Sunday News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. March 21, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  6. Paulson, Morton (September 23, 1955). "2 Counties Joined By New Span". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  7. "Bridge repairs halt morning traffic". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, FL. November 2, 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  8. "Electrical bridge fails; forces 20-mile detours". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, FL. October 18, 1990. p. B3. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  9. "Whitehair Bridge closing temporarily for repairs". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. October 31, 1991. p. 5C. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  10. "Bridge damaged when trucks collide". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. July 13, 1993. p. 2B. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  11. Kiesler, Sara (March 29, 2006). "Truck rams bridge, shuts S.R. 44 lane". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. p. 1C. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  12. "Whitehair Bridge lanes reopen". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, FL. March 31, 2006. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
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