Merritt Island Causeway - First Route

First Route

On May 1, 1917, the first bridge opened between Cocoa, Florida and Merritt Island, Florida across the Indian River. Soon after this bridge was built, an idea for a new bridge connecting Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach over the Banana River began circulating. Eventually two routes were proposed, one each from a Mr. Barlow, and Mr. Rogers.

Barlow's Route
Cross over Sykes Creek and east to Cocoa Beach
Roger's Route
Cross from Horti Point east to Cocoa Beach.

On September 27, 1919, Roger's Route was approved. The bridge was finally completed April 19, 1922 after running into financial problems and costing an additional $200,000.

The present day alignment, from west to east, based upon this description

  • Hubert H. Humphrey Bridge
  • Palmetto Avenue (used to intersect at SR 520 and SR 3)
  • East Merritt Island Avenue
  • Audubon Road
  • Old Audubon Road
  • Triangle Road
  • North Banana Drive (follow south to the start of the bridge)

The narrow lane draw bridge crossed the Banana River near Old Causeway Road on Horti Point. The present day Minuteman Causeway Boulevard in Cocoa Beach, and Old Causeway Road in Angel City are the remaining ends of the Merritt Island Causeway. The bridge system composed of the Indian River Bridge and the Banana River Bridge lasted another 18 years, when growth finally caught up with the bridge system.

Read more about this topic:  Merritt Island Causeway

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