Collins Bridge

The Collins Bridge was a bridge that crossed Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida. At the time it was completed, it was the longest wooden bridge in the world. It was built by farmer and developer John S. Collins (1837–1928) with financial assistance from automotive parts and racing pioneer Carl G. Fisher. Fisher, an auto parts magnate, loaned Collins $50,000 in 1911 ($1.4 million, adjusted for current inflation) to complete the bridge when Collins' money ran out.[1] Collins, then 75 years old, traded Fisher 200 acres (81 ha) of land on Miami Beach for the loan. The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) wooden toll bridge opened on June 12, 1913,[2] providing a critical link to the newly established Miami Beach, formerly accessible only by a ferry service. The middle of the bridge had a steel lattice truss design, while the ends were primarily wooden, as well as the deck being wooden for the entire length.[3]

Collins Bridge
The opening of Collins Bridge, circa 1913.
Coordinates25°47′21.18″N 80°11′20.77″W
CrossesBiscayne Bay
LocaleMiami to Miami Beach
Followed byVenetian Causeway
Characteristics
DesignWooden truss
Total length2.5 miles (4.0 km)
History
Opened1913
Closed1925
Location

The original wooden causeway was replaced in 1925 by a series of arch drawbridges and renamed the Venetian Causeway.

References
  1. "The Collins Avenue Story - Absolutely Florida". Funandsun.com. 1913-06-12. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  2. "Collins Bridge - South Beach, Florida History Guide". Miami Beach 411. 1913-06-12. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-07-11. Retrieved 2006-01-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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