Melbourne Causeway

Encyclopedia : M : ME : MEL : Melbourne Causeway

Contents

1 Overview
2 History

2.1 First Bridge
2.2 Second Bridge
2.3 Third Bridge

3 Component Bridges

3.1 Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge
3.2 Relief Bridges

4 Sources

4.1 Bridge ID's
4.2 Bridge Length
4.3 Original Bridge Length
4.4 Bridge History

Overview

The Melbourne Causeway is located entirely within Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is composed of three bridges and connects the municipalities of Melbourne, Florida and Indialantic, Florida across the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County. The eastern terminus of U.S. 192 (also known as SR 500) is located approximately 2 miles east of the bridge, at SR A1A. On the western side the road is locally known as Strawbridge Avenue, and on the eastern side, Fifth Avenue. Each July 4th the bridge is closed for a fireworks show.

History

First Bridge

Ernest Kouwen-Hoven began construction of the second bridge across the Indian River in 1919. The first bridge was completed 2 years earlier near Cocoa, Florida. By May 1921 the bridge was complete and unofficially opened as a toll bridge. It was 9,706 feet ( 2958 meters) or nearly 2 miles long ( 3 kilometers). Approximately 1/3 of the way from Melbourne there was a 134 foot long hand operated draw. On September 18, 1921 it officially opened. A Mr. J.E. Campbell was the first to drive across the bridge. During construction three sawmills were built by Ernest Kouwen-Hoven. They did not all exist at the same time. The first one in Melbourne Village. The second on the Nevin Property on Merritt Island. The third being 5 miles west of Grant.

Second Bridge

In 1941, construction began on the second bridge between Melbourne and Indialantic. This bridge was a low-rise swing draw bridge. On August 1, 1947 Mrs. Ernest Houwen-Koven cut the ribbon and the same J.E. Campbell that crossed the first bridge, was the first to cross this bridge.

Third Bridge

The third bridge contains two twin spans that are 2592.5 feet long. According to the Melbourne Centennial Book the official start of construction was February 2, 1976, and the bridge was expected to be complete by fall of 1977. It appears to have been delayed with the westbound span being constructed in 1977 and ending 2 years later. From bridge id numbers, it appears that the western relief bridges were also constructed during this time. Construction of the eastbound span did not begin until 1981 and finished in 1984.

Component Bridges

Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge

The Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge is the official name of the high-rise span. This name is not used locally, and only appears in official government documents.

Relief Bridges

These bridges are unremarkable, and have no appreciable change in grade. The easternmost relief bridge is commonly used by local fisherman.

Sources

Bridge ID's

Bridge Length

[Florida Geographical Data Library]
* Search under Transportation Networks, "Bridges" retrieve "RCI Bridges". Data retreived by using modified shp2text program.

Original Bridge Length

[Trip to Florida by Scott M. Kozel]

Bridge History

[Melbourne Beach Historical Trail]
[Town of Indialantic History Page]
[Brevard County Historical Commission - Indian River Journal Quarterly - Fall 2002]
Melbourne Centennial Book. Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. 1980

* Satellite image from [WikiMapia], [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]
* Street map from [MapQuest] or [Google Maps]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image from [TerraServer-USA]

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