(Archived Bridge Hunter;
John A. Weeks III;
Satellite, 1,252 photos) Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge
This 10,646' (3.2km, 2 mile) bridge has a main span of 1,300' (396m).
There are a lot of street views of this bridge, and they were all practically empty of vehicles. It appears that 4 lanes would have been enough. Note the little black cables tying the big white cables together. I wonder if the bridge was built with them or if they were added later to correct a problem such as cable vibration.
Americo fan
posted eight photos with the comment:
The Dames Point Bridge, officially known as the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, is a prominent cable-stayed bridge located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Spanning the St. Johns River, it connects the Arlington area with the Westside of the city. Opened to traffic in 1989, the bridge is named after the nearby Dames Point, a historic site significant to the region’s maritime history.
With a main span of 1,600 feet, the Dames Point Bridge is one of the longest cable-stayed spans in the United States. Its design features striking towers that rise to 175 feet [282m], supporting a network of cables that hold the roadway aloft.
The bridge not only serves as a critical transportation link, facilitating the movement of vehicles across the river, but it also enhances the city’s skyline with its modern architectural aesthetic.
The bridge accommodates both vehicular traffic and pedestrians, with dedicated walkways that allow for scenic views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Its elevated structure provides a vantage point for observing local wildlife and the bustling activities along the St. Johns River.
In addition to its functional role, the Dames Point Bridge is a symbol of Jacksonville’s growth and development. It plays a crucial part in the city’s economy, linking neighborhoods and enabling commerce.
The bridge is also significant for its engineering, showcasing advancements in bridge design and construction.
Overall, the Dames Point Bridge stands as a testament to Jacksonville’s infrastructure development, embodying both practicality and visual appeal, while serving as a vital artery in the city’s transportation network.
Its prominence in the area makes it an essential landmark for residents and visitors alike.
Jon Cook: Pedestrian traffic not allowed.
Scott Hamilton: It connects the Northside with the Arlington area. Not the westside....
[Another AI gone bad? Note that Bridge Hunter specifies a span length of 1,300' instead of 1,600'.
Britannica agrees with the 1,300' figure. In fact, 1,600' would make it the longest span in the US instead of the third longest. The side spans are 660' (200m).
And 175' is not the height of the towers, it is the clearance. The height of the towers is 471' (144m). [
JohnWeeks]
Basically, everything that wasn't a platitude was wrong.]
Dennis DeBruler: The main span is 1,300' instead of 1,600'. And 175' is the clearance, not the height of the towers. The towers are 471' high.
[I clicked Angry on this post.]
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It has the lowest span for major East Coast ports. [
jacksonville]
NOAA uses the term "air gap" instead of vertical clearance. I wonder how many ships have to pay attention to low tides in order to go under the bridge.
"This bridge had been proposed for more than 30 years. It nearly was started in the 1970s, but an economic recession caused it to be shelved. The bridge design was modified late in the design process to increase the height above the water from 160 feet to 175 feet. It is fortunate that this was done since modern container ships need this clearance. Some critics suggest that this was still too low, and it should have been built with 190 feet of clearance to allow the larger cruise ships to pass under the bridge. Even that would be too low given that the newest cruise ships require 200 feet of clearance....
The bridge is officially named after Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, a former governor of Florida and all-around character. Besides his political career, Broward was a daring sea captain and was known to run guns to the Cuban revolutionaries." The cable arrangement is the harp style. [JohnWeeks]
United States beauty
posted ten photos with the comment:
The Dames Point Bridge, officially named the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. Opened in 1989, it is one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the United States, featuring a main span of 1,300 feet and soaring towers that reach 471 feet. The bridge is part of the I-295 East Beltway and connects the northern and eastern parts of Jacksonville, supporting substantial commuter and freight traffic. Its high clearance allows large cargo ships to pass underneath, providing critical access to the Port of Jacksonville. The Dames Point Bridge is known for its unique, visually striking design with diamond-shaped towers, making it a recognizable landmark within the Jacksonville skyline. It plays an essential role in the area’s infrastructure, linking key commercial and residential areas across the river.
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