| Jewfish Creek Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Jewfish Creek Bridge |
| Carries | US 1 (Overseas Highway) |
| Crosses | Jewfish Creek Lake Surprise |
| Locale | Key Largo, Florida |
| Maintained by | Florida Department of Transportation |
| Design | Concrete Girder Bridge |
| Vertical clearance | 65 Feet |
| Opened | 1944 (original bridge) May 22, 2008 (current bridge) |
| Toll | None |
The Jewfish Creek Bridge is a bridge in the Florida Keys. Spanning both Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise, it carries the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) between the Florida Keys and the Florida mainland.
The current structure, which opened in 2008, is 65 feet tall. It carries two lanes separated by a Jersey barrier. Due to the height of the bridge, it bypasses the land between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise, which is home to many businesses. The bridge features exit ramps off of the main bridge that provide access to these businesses. Unlike most bridges in Florida, the bridge was painted with a light blue color.
The current span opened on May 22, 2008, replacing a small drawbridge spanning Jewfish creek, which had been in operation since 1944.[1] The drawbridge was notorious for causing major traffic delays along the Overseas Highway. The span also replaced the Lake Surprise Causeway, since it spans both bodies of water due to its height. Exit ramps connect the new bridge with the land between Jewfish Creek and Lake Surprise.
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