Now here's how to make a bad idea made worse. So, the Caloosahatchee Bridge is shutting down for ten whole weeks starting May 31st! I know. Oh, what joy this is going to bring your commute. They're doing it just so they can slap an 8-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of the southbound bridge. But, this isn't just some overnight deal anymore. We're talking full closure, 24/7.
According to NBC2, the Florida Department of Transportation claims this full shutdown will speed up the project by up to 18 months. Right. Sure, they say it's for safety, like keeping construction crews and drivers out of harm’s way on the Caloosahatchee Bridge . But at what cost? The price tag on this pedestrian paradise is a whopping $25 million!
They want to make it safer for people to walk and bike across the bridge. Really? I'm sorry, but I have never had the urge to stroll across the bridge. I mean, how many people are really clamoring to walk across the Caloosahatchee Bridge? A handful of cyclists? A few pedestrians maybe? Seems like overkill to me. And, of course, the rest of us have to deal with absolute traffic chaos.
Caloosahatchee Bridge Traffic:
Just imagine the traffic jams! Ten weeks of detours, congestion, and frustration, just so a few people can have a stroll. While the rest of us, who have real places to be, like work, are left to suffer. Right. Who cares about our commute? They’ve got sidewalks to build. This feels like one of those ideas cooked up in a room full of people who don’t have to deal with the daily grind. They think, “Oh, let’s make it nice for pedestrians,” while the rest of us are stuck in bumper-to-bumper hell. It’s like giving a millionaire a coupon... They don’t need it, and we don’t want it.
So here we are, gearing up for ten weeks of madness on the road. All so, a few people can ride their bikes and walk across the Caloosahatchee Bridge for kicks. Sorry, but this one’s a massive inconvenience for the masses just to appease a few mall walkers and spandex commandos.
Florida Has 2 Of The Most Beautiful Bridges In The Country
According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.
A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.
The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.
Florida Bridges
In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.
"American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity," Mr. Hudson explains.
What's fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America's feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade
Let's take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa
Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.
Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys
This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It's a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, "the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys." In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.
