The Bridges of Volusia County (Daytona Beach Bridges)

This was originally posted on my

www.Travel-Daytona.com site on

Sept 16th, 2007

But since I will be de-activating that bog in a few weeks — I wanted this article to live on in the cyber world, since there were -0- visitors on my other site — it was really my practice blog, I wnated to post it again for your enjoyment — or your reference or your travel planning or with what ever you see fit….Didn’t you just LOVE Clint Eastwood in the Madison County version?? Me too !!~. Enjoy !!!

The Bridges of Volusia County
(Daytona Beach Bridges)

Renata’s Perspective
As a young engineering student, I loved the physics problems relating to trusses and supports for bridges. I love bridges – I see something beautiful in them.
( It is a reoccurring theme in Statics – Dymanics 101-102-103…)and seeing films of harmonics in action with the “Tacoma Narrows Bridge” collapse.
I often traveled to Brown County Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival. I loved the Pumpkin Ice Cream & Persimmon Ice Cream there is really not a better place in the country to experience the fall colors. During our trip there were color coded bridge routes to see all of the Covered Bridges. You either love and appreciate the beauty of them or you do not. Here are some facts I uncovered on the bridges of Volusia County::

Dunlawton Ave//SR 421
Port Orange Bridge is a high span bridge – 3rd bridge at this site.
1st bridge on this site was built in 1900, destroyed by a hurricane in 1932.
2nd bridge on this site was a draw bridge,built in 1952 (what happened from 32-52?)
3rd (Present bridge) a superspan structure was completed in 1990. The view from the highest point on this bridge while traveling east will make you want to stop on the top of the bridge and get a picture -it is that breath-taking!! To the south is SeaBird Island, my favorite trailer park ever – if I were retired, that area would have grabbed my interest.
Under the bridge on the east end are several bar-grills that I whole heartedly recommend for burgers and sunset photo ops….boat launch and parking off north east park.
Historical pictures and information were found at this site::
http://www.port-orange.org/living/history2V.php

Orange Av // Silver Beach Av
Silver Beach Bridge
A draw bridge. We believe that the Florida Structural Information refers to this bridge as the Silver Beach Bridge but locals call it the Orange Ave Bridge because Orange Ave is West of it. This is a draw bridge that is very similar to our own Main Street bridge.

Daytona Beach – International Speedway Blvd (Broadway Bridge)
“Timeless Ecology.” Is the theme that inspired the artwork you will find on the Broadway Bridge.
Completed in 2001, it was awarded the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal.
“The Lindenthal Medal is given for a single, recent, outstanding achievement in bridge engineering. The winning project must exhibit an improvement in bridge technology through technical or material innovation, achievement of high aesthetic merit, harmony with the environment or successful community participation in planning and design.”
Glass tile mosaics in a nature theme make the most beautiful bridge that I have had the pleasure of cruising over. There are 18 mosaics on each side (36 total) featuring wildlife of the area – Sharks – Eagles – Florida Panthers – Dolphins – Manatees – are just some of the many animals you will see depicted in the mosaics. There are also mosaics that decorate the piers of the bridge – giving the appearance of the our sea creatures swimming in the water with you. This bridge has a 65 ft vertical height -to allow unencumbered boat traffic.

Daytona Beach – Main St (Main Street Bridge)
A drawbridge. This is a drawbridge that is very similar to our own Silver Beach Bridge bridge. Daytona Beach Gilley’s 44 is on the east end of this bridge —
Daytona Beach – Seabreeze Ave (West Draw Bridge)
2 High span bridge. Completed in 1998 to replace a draw bridge. It has twin spans, going opposite directions, also has the 65′ vertical clearance for watercraft.
For additional info::
http://www.gelhardt.com/samples/finley/project17.htm
Ormond Beach – Granada Ave
High span bridge. It has small parks on the north, south, east, and west bases of the bridge and a cool under bridge pier system where you can walk or fish. Has a boat launch.
2 Additional Structures
that I considered to be worth mention::
The Dale Earnhardt Sr. Memorial Bridge.
This is a Pedestrian Walkover that is right outside the Daytona International Speedway.
The dedication of the “Dale Earnhardt Sr Memorial Bridge”
was just before race Week 2002 .
At Daytona International Speedway
The tunnel under turn 4— heading to the infield during RaceWeek is just the most exciting trip anyone can take!! As I walk thru the tunnel – as Dale Jr is taking practice laps over my head — I stop and marvel the structure for a minute — because I am always late going back to my seats or late to see someone in the Fan Zone –
Then back to the real world.

Here are a few more links that I would like to keep here for safe keeping…
http://en.structurae.de/projects/data/index.cfm?ID=p00730
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/CBR/Final_Bridge_List_08-17-07.pdf

Go !! Explore!! Report back!!
Let us know if you found anything memorable about Daytona’s bridges!!