1994: (no Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges;
Satellite)
The full name is St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge. He was the councilman who secured the funding for the 1,645' (500m) bridge. The 1921 bridge was the first one built across the St. Johns River. [
SevenBridges]
"More simply called the Acosta Bridge named after the City Councilman instrumental in funding the original span known as the St. Johns River Bridge (1921). After Acosta died, the St. Johns River Bridge was renamed in his honor. Eventually, the new Acosta Bridge opened in 1994 replacing the older one. Today the Acosta Bridge has 6 lanes for cars, 2 pedestrian walkways, and 2-tracks in the median for the Skyway train. This is my favorite bridge on driving tours because of the magnificent view of Downtown from the crest." [
VisitJacksonville, this is a summary of the main bridges]
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| Postcard via BridgeHunter |
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| 1924 photo via Pinterest via BridgeHunter |
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jaxhistory
"One hundred years ago, July 1, 1921, the Acosta Bridge was opened as the first span over the St. Johns River to move automobile traffic from one bank to the other."
Bridges Now and Then posted
"Jacksonville, Florida's, St. John's River Bridge opening day, June 1, 1921. Known as the St. John’s River Bridge, it was a toll bridge and an annual “pass” was available, which consisted of a tag or plate for the front of the vehicle. Tolls were taken up until 1940. The bridge was renamed the Acosta Bridge in 1947 in posthumous honor of St. Elmo W. Acosta, the city commissioner who championed the funding for the automobile and pedestrian bridge after World War I." (Jacksonville History Center) |
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Bridges Now and Then posted
July 1, 1921: Motorists and residents of Jacksonville, Florida celebrate the opening of the St. Johns River Bridge (later renamed Acosta Bridge). (Jacksonville Historical Society) |
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Jacksonville, this webpage has a lot of photos of the old bridge.
"April 1991: Construction of what would later become the northbound lanes of the new Acosta Bridge is under way. Once completed, the old Acosta Bridge was demolished and a second bridge was constructed that would eventually become the southbound span. M. Jack Luedke/Florida Times-Union" |
The approaches look like steel girders.
But the mainspan looks more like a concrete box girder. (I wish Bridge Hunters would cover modern bridges that aren't just plain girder bridges.)
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SevenBridges
"The new bridge features a box girder design; it utilizes pre-stressed concrete, making it much more reliable than its predecessor....The bridge is notable for allowing bicycle traffic in its commuter lanes. Between this, the sidewalks, and the Skyway rails, the Acosta Bridge is one of the most pedestrian-friendly bridges in the city. Just as the bridge offered the first path across the bridge for vehicle traffic many years ago, with its pedestrian-friendly design it continues its tradition of being ahead of the curve." It had been lit with neon lights, but they died in 2016. |
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