Which bridge is the longest bridge on Florida's Overseas Highway?
Answer
Seven Mile Bridge
The Seven Mile Bridge is the longest bridge on Florida’s Overseas Highway.
It connects Knight’s Key near Marathon with Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys, crossing Moser Channel. The modern road bridge is about 6.8 miles long and carries U.S. Route 1, the highway that continues through the Florida Keys to Key West.
There are actually two bridges at this location. The older bridge was built between 1909 and 1912 as part of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad. After the railroad was damaged by the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, the structure was adapted for automobile traffic. The present bridge was built from 1978 to 1982.
A common mix-up is confusing the modern vehicle bridge with the historic bridge beside it. The old bridge is now used in sections by pedestrians and cyclists, while vehicles use the newer structure. The name “Seven Mile” is traditional; modern measurements put the road bridge at slightly less than seven miles.