Information
Landmark: Seven Mile BridgeCity: Florida Keys
Country: USA Florida
Continent: North America
Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys, USA Florida, North America
Overview
Stretching across turquoise waters in the Florida Keys, the Seven Mile Bridge stands as one of the world’s most striking and unforgettable spans.The bridge stretches from Marathon in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys, carrying U. S. Route 1 across turquoise water as a crucial piece of the Overseas Highway.Stretching across the turquoise waters of the Keys, the Seven Mile Bridge offers breathtaking views, carries a rich history, and played a key role in shaping Florida’s transportation network.Back in 1912, the first Seven Mile Bridge rose over the turquoise waters, built as part of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway Key West Extension.The project set out to link the Florida Keys to the mainland by railway, making it faster to move goods and people-fresh fruit could reach the docks in hours instead of days.Back then, it stood as a marvel of engineering, gleaming under the afternoon sun.In 1935’s catastrophic Labor Day Hurricane, the bridge and railway were battered, splintered beams and twisted rails strewn across the shoreline.When the hurricane tore through and wrecked the rail line, the bridge found a new job-carrying cars and trucks rumbling across its worn boards.The U. S. government chose to turn the bridge into a roadway, folding it into the new stretch of U. S. Route 1 where trucks would rumble over its steel span.In 1982, workers built the new Seven Mile Bridge beside the old one, wide enough for cars and trucks to speed across under the hot Florida sun.The new bridge can handle today’s heavy traffic and gives boats plenty of room to slip under, even with tall masts brushing the sunlight.The old bridge no longer carries cars, but it still stands, open to visitors and marked as a piece of local history.In January 2022, after a $77 million overhaul, the 2.2-mile stretch of the original Seven Mile Bridge swung its gates open again, welcoming pedestrians and cyclists to stroll past sunlit water and pelicans gliding by.This stretch links Marathon to Pigeon Key, a tiny island once buzzing with the clang of tools and the chatter of railway workers in their camp.Engineering the new Seven Mile Bridge meant creating a sleek box-girder span, built from massive precast concrete sections that fit together like puzzle pieces under the Florida sun.It stretches 6.79 miles, or 10.93 kilometers, with 440 spans-each like a long rib holding the structure steady.The center was built with a 65-foot clearance, high enough for boats to slip under, letting them move easily between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.The new bridge connects the Florida Keys, carrying steady streams of cars and bikes for locals and tourists alike.The Old Seven Mile Bridge, made of steel and concrete, once carried a swing span over Moser Channel so boats could slip through.The swing span is gone, but most of the structure still stands, now transformed into a bridge where walkers and cyclists can cross, feeling the old steel cool under their hands.What's left of the old bridge lets visitors step into the past as they stand over weathered planks and take in the quiet beauty of the surrounding hills.On the restored 2.2-mile stretch of the Old Seven Mile Bridge, visitors stroll, cycle, or fish while turquoise water ripples quietly beneath them.The bridge leads to Pigeon Key, a tiny island where the clang of hammers once echoed from a bustling railroad work camp.The key now serves as a historic site, with exhibits showing how the bridge was built and telling the story of the railroad-old photographs line the walls, their edges curling with age.Thanks to the restoration project, visitors can now walk through this historic site, a rare chance to step inside an iconic chapter of Florida’s past and feel the worn wood under their fingertips.Each April, runners gather for the Seven Mile Bridge Run, a lively race that carries them over the long stretch of asphalt and sea spray.The event celebrates finishing the new Seven Mile Bridge and pulls in thousands of runners from across the globe, their sneakers pounding the sun‑warmed pavement.It’s a rare chance to see the bridge like almost no one else does-wind in your hair, ocean stretching on both sides-and it’s now one of the most eagerly awaited events in the Florida Keys.The Seven Mile Bridge has popped up in big Hollywood productions, from blockbuster films to hit TV shows, its long stretch of asphalt gleaming under the Florida sun.You can spot it in films such as *True Lies* (1994), *License to Kill* (1989), *2 Fast 2 Furious* (2003), and even on TV in *Burn Notice*.With its bold curves and sweeping views, the bridge has set the stage for roaring car chases and breathtaking wide shots, firmly securing its spot in pop culture.Scenic Views - The Seven Mile Bridge is famous for its breathtaking sights, like endless turquoise water stretching to the horizon.Standing on the bridge, visitors take in the sweep of turquoise Gulf waters and the deep blue Atlantic, a scene that begs for a camera click.The bridge has come to symbolize the Florida Keys, its weathered span appearing in countless photos-especially when the sun spills gold over the water.Walking or cycling across the restored stretch of the Old Seven Mile Bridge offers a smooth path, fresh sea air, and a perfect place to jog.A walkway stretches the full length of the bridge, where you can pause to watch sunlight flicker across the water, and it’s a calm retreat from the usual tourist bustle.Fishing: The old bridge draws plenty of anglers, with several spots along its weathered planks where people drop a line into the slow, green water.Anglers cast their lines for snapper, grouper, and the quick flash of a barracuda darting through the clear water below.Pigeon Key sits at the far end of the restored bridge, a tiny island that once housed the railway workers who built the first bridge.Today, the island serves as a historic site, where visitors can see exhibits on how the railroad was built and how it shaped the region, including a rusted rail spike you can still touch.You can join a guided tour, slip into the water to snorkel among bright coral, or just stretch out in a quiet, tucked-away corner of the Florida Keys.You can walk or drive the Seven Mile Bridge any time of year, but it’s best between November and April, when the breeze is cool and the air doesn’t cling to your skin like it does in the sweltering summer.You’ll find several parking spots at both ends of the Seven Mile Bridge, especially by the pedestrian entrances to the old bridge and Pigeon Key, where the air smells faintly of salt and sun-warmed asphalt.Safety tips: You can walk or cycle across the bridge, but keep an eye on the stream of cars as they hum past on the modern span.The old bridge often catches the wind and bakes in full sun, so bring water, sunscreen, and a wide-brim hat to stay safe.Marathon sits just past the Seven Mile Bridge, offering sandy beaches, shady parks, and plenty of chances to dive into watersports.It also hosts the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, where you can feed a stingray or watch a sea turtle drift lazily through the water.The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail stretches 106 miles, winding across the islands and linking them with sunlit paths perfect for cycling or a leisurely walk along the water.It winds along stretches of the old railway, passing weathered beams and the long span of the Seven Mile Bridge.Key West sits at the very tip of the Florida Keys, where the road ends and the sea stretches wide and blue.
