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The Seven Mile Bridge

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Even today, crossing the Florida Keys' Seven Mile Bridge can be a harrowing experience.  The nearly seven-mile-long bridge over Moser Channel in the Gulf of Mexico is a noteworthy landmark along the Overseas Highway.

Pedestrian access to the Seven Mile Bridge.  This photo was taken before a $77 million rehabilitation project that preserved the bridge as a bike/pedestrian path for generations to come.  (Adam Prince - August 2011)

The current bridge opened in 1982 after nearly four years of construction. It replaced a narrow, rickety, white-knuckled-driving old bridge that first carried Henry Flagler's Overseas Railway. The first bridge began operation in 1912 and served until it was destroyed by the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.  The destruction of that hurricane was the final blow to the struggling Florida East Coast Railway.  The now-bankrupt rail company sold the right of way to the state of Florida.

The modern Seven Mile Bridge (left) runs parallel to the original bridge (right). Top Photo: Adam Prince - August 2011.  Bottom Photo: Joe Babyak - August 2011.



Over the next three years, the old rail bridge and right of way were converted for automobile use.  The bridge deck was widened, structural support was added where needed, and the former steel rails were converted to guard rails.

For the next four-plus decades, the narrow old bridge, along with its accompanying swing bridge, was the main route to the Lower Keys and Key West. The bridge was 22' in width with no shoulders, and the nearly seven-mile ride over the ocean waters below was a test for even the most experienced drivers.  Until 1954, drivers had to pay up to $1.25 to cross the bridge.

The new Seven Mile Bridge crossing Moser Channel.  The old bridge can be seen in the right.  The wider deck of the new bridge includes a 7' shoulder for broken down vehicles, (Tom Fearer - 2017)

Construction of a new Seven Mile Bridge to the immediate south began in 1978.  It carries traffic 65 feet above the ocean - eliminating the traffic back-ups caused by the swing bridge structure on the original crossing.  The bridge's width of 38 feet allows for a 12' travel lane with a 7' shoulder in each direction.  The new bridge cost $45 million to construct.

Most of the original Seven Mile Bridge - minus the swing bridge - still stands and is a popular tourist attraction.  For just over 25 years after the new bridge opened, 2.2 miles of the old bridge to Pigeon Key remained open to vehicular traffic.  This granted access to Pigeon Key and the fishing pier located there.  The slowly deteriorating condition of the original bridge led to vehicle access to Pigeon Key ending in 2008.

The narrow width of the original Seven Mile Bridge.  Taken before a major renovation project that included a new blacktop surface.  The Seven Mile Bridgeis a popular recreational destination for walking and biking. (Adam Prince - August 2011)

While the original Seven Mile Bridge was now closed to vehicular traffic, it remained a popular walking and biking attraction. In 2016, the State of Florida began a $77 million rehabilitation project of the 2.2-mile section of the old bridge to Pigeon Key.  This project included painting, structural improvements, and additional items to fully convert the bridge into a pedestrian and bike facility.  The bridge reopened to the public in January 2022.

The original Seven Mile Bridge crosses over Pigeon Key.  (Tom Fearer - 2013).

Pigeon Key housed barracks for the original bridge construction crew for Flagler's Railroad from 1908 to 1912.  The island and its buildings were later used as a maintenance facility for the Seven Mile Bridge, housing for the Coast Guard during World War II.  The island is now home to a museum, marine biology educational space, and the offices of the Pigeon Key Foundation. 

One of the restored buildings on Pigeon Key. (Tom Fearer - 2013)

If walking the old bridge is still not your thing, there are four daily boat tours operated by the Pigeon Key Foundation - or you can bring your own boat to Pigeon Key.

All photos taken by post author - August 26, 2011 unless otherwise noted.

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