Melbourne Causeway

Melbourne Causeway
Official name	Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge
Carries	2 general purpose lanes of US 192 (each bridge)
Crosses	Indian River Lagoon
Locale	between Melbourne, Florida and Indialantic, Florida
Maintained by	Florida Department of Transportation
ID number	700174 - Westbound 700181 - Eastbound
Design	reinforced concrete
Total length	2.0 km (1.26 miles) (bridge lengths combined)
Width	unknown
Longest span	790.0 meters (2592.50 feet / 0.491 mile)
Vertical clearance	16.76 meters (55 feet)
Clearance below	15.25 meters (50 feet)
Opened	1979 - Westbound, 1984 - Eastbound
Coordinates	28°05′02″N 80°35′29″W / 28.0840°N 80.5915°W / 28.0840; -80.5915

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 causeway is part of U.S. 192 (also known as SR 500), whose eastern terminus is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the bridge, at SR A1A. East of the bridge, the road is known locally as Fifth Avenue. On the western side, the road continues through downtown Melbourne as Strawbridge Avenue. Each July 4 the bridge is closed for a fireworks show.

There are two bridges in Melbourne, the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway (SR 518) With the latter being named for the old city of Eau Gallie, which merged with Melbourne in 1969.

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 (3.2 km) long ( 3 kilometers). Approximately 1/3 of the way from Melbourne there was a 134-foot (41 m) 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 was in Melbourne Village, the second was on the Nevin Property on Merritt Island, and the third was 5 miles (8.0 km) 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 Kouwen-Hoven 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 2,592.5 feet (790.2 m) 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, officially dedicated on 28 May 1978. 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 fishermen.

Sources

Bridge ID's

• Town of Indialantic Meeting Minutes September 14, 2005
• Town of Indialantic Meeting Minutes April 19, 2005
• Contract Bidding Information for main-span work

Bridge Length

• Florida Geographical Data Library
  • Search under Transportation Networks, "Bridges" retrieve "RCI Bridges". Data retrieved 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

Coordinates: 28°05′10″N 80°35′13″W / 28.086°N 80.587°W / 28.086; -80.587