Francis P. Whitehair Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Francis P. Whitehair Bridge
Official Name:Francis P. Whitehair Bridge
Id:110603
Locale:Crows Bluff, Florida
Maint:Florida Department of Transportation
Carries:
(two general purpose lanes)
Crosses:St. Johns River
Design:Double leaf bascule bridge
Open:September 1955
Coordinates:29.0088°N -81.3821°W

The Francis P. Whitehair Bridge, also known as the Crows Bluff Bridge, was a double leaf bascule bridge located in Crows Bluff, Florida that carried State Road 44 over the St. Johns River. The original bridge on the site was constructed in 1917; replaced in 1955, and though it was previously expected to remain in service until the 2050s,[1] a new version of the bridge opened in September of 2023.[2]

History

The original Crows Bluff Bridge was a swing span bridge; constructed in 1917,[3] in 1926 it became a free crossing.[4] In 1954, a plan for construction of a replacement bridge was established;[5] the new bridge, dedicated to DeLand resident Francis P. Whitehair, opened on September 22, 1955.[6]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the bridge was closed several times for repairs.[7] [8] [9]

A 1993 truck accident damaged the bridge, requiring repairs to its guardrails.[10] In 2006 a truck caused damage to the bridge's support beams in another accident;[11] the damage was repaired within a week.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Where two paths converge. Williamson. Ronald. December 11, 2004. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 1C. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  2. https://www.cflroads.com/project/429556-1 SR 44 over the St. Johns River Bridge (Florida Department of Transportation)
  3. News: Old span. September 17, 1967. Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 9A. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  4. News: Two Volusia-Lake County Bridges Scheduled to Be Free of Charge. May 29, 1926. Evening Independent. 12A. St. Petersburg, FL. 2012-09-02.
  5. News: Bids Asked On Bridge. March 21, 1954. The Sunday News-Journal. 1. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  6. News: 2 Counties Joined By New Span. Paulson. Morton. September 23, 1955. Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 1. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  7. News: Bridge repairs halt morning traffic. https://archive.today/20130131153343/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/89246778.html?dids=89246778:89246778&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+02,+1988&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=BRIDGE+REPAIRS+HALT+MORNING+TRAFFIC&pqatl=google. dead. January 31, 2013. November 2, 1988. Orlando Sentinel. 3. 2012-09-06. Orlando, FL.
  8. News: Electrical bridge fails; forces 20-mile detours. https://archive.today/20130131234002/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/90294486.html?dids=90294486:90294486&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+18,+1990&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=ELECTRICAL+BRIDGE+FAILS,+FORCES+20-MILE+DETOURS&pqatl=google. dead. January 31, 2013. October 18, 1990. Orlando Sentinel. B3. 2012-09-06. Orlando, FL.
  9. News: Whitehair Bridge closing temporarily for repairs. October 31, 1991. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 5C. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  10. News: Bridge damaged when trucks collide. July 13, 1993. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 2B. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  11. News: Truck rams bridge, shuts S.R. 44 lane. Kiesler. Sara. March 29, 2006. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 1C. 2012-09-06. Daytona Beach, FL.
  12. Web site: Whitehair Bridge lanes reopen. March 31, 2006. Orlando Sentinel. 2012-09-06. Orlando, FL.

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