When was the original bridge to Key West built?
The older bridge, originally known as the Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge, was constructed from 1909 to 1912 under the direction of Henry Flagler and Clarence S….
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Seven Mile Bridge | |
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Opened | May 24, 1982 |
Location | |
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap |
When was the 7 mile bridge built in the Keys?

1978Seven Mile Bridge / Construction started
Who built bridges to Key West?
Flagler
Flagler envisioned a train route connecting all the Florida Keys and mainland Florida. Flagler inspired an army of men to spend seven years constructing the railroad’s bridges and land-based tracks, and in 1912 the first train pulled into Key West.
When was the bridge from Miami to Key West built?
The conversion of the railroad bridges to automobile use was accomplished by Cleary Brothers Construction Co. of West Palm Beach, and the entire route to Key West was opened to the public in 1938.

How deep is the water under the Florida Keys bridge?
So the waters under Seven Mile Bridge are only about 18 to 22 feet deep – this shallow nature helps provide the beautiful blue color of the water.
How old is the 7 Mile Bridge?
40Seven Mile Bridge / Age (c. 1982)
When was the new Bahia Honda bridge built?
1972
A new four-lane bridge was built and opened in 1972, a few hundred yards north of the old bridge, replacing the former route of U.S. 1.
How long did it take to build the road from Miami to Key West?
This is now known as Monroe County Road 905. A little over two years later in 1931, a 13 1/2-mile road was completed across the Vacas Keys with ferry terminals on Grassy and Hog Keys.
How long did it take to build the 7 Mile Bridge in Key West?
It took 50,000 men 10 years to build it. And, once built, it withstood everything but time.
When did the first train arrive in Key West?
Jan. 22, 1912
On Jan. 22, 1912, when Ruby Whitlock was eight years old, she watched the arrival of the first train that ever traveled down the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad tracks from mainland Florida to Key West.
How long did it take to build Key West bridge?
When did the old Bahia Honda Bridge close?
After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge was opened in 1972, two spans of the old bridge were removed for the safety of boat traffic and to prevent pedestrian access to unsafe parts of the bridge….
Bahia Honda Rail Bridge | |
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Longest span | 247 feet |
History | |
Opened | 1912 as rail bridge, converted to highway use in 1938 |
Closed | 1972 |
How deep is the water under Bahia Honda Bridge?
35 feet deep
This bridge was one of the most difficult to build along the Overseas Railroad. First, the crews encountered deep water in Bahia Honda channel—up to 35 feet deep, which is very deep for the Keys. Nine concrete arches support a framework of girders from which the railroad tracks were hung from the trusses.