Brickell Avenue Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brickell Avenue Bridge |
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Brickell Avenue Bridge in 1995
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| Carries |  US 1 (Brickell Avenue) |
| Crosses | Miami River |
| Locale | Downtown Miami |
| Named for | Brickell Avenue |
| History | |
| Opened | 1929 |
The Brickell Avenue Bridge is an important bridge in Downtown Miami, Florida. It carries U.S. Route 1 (also known as Brickell Avenue) over the Miami River. This bridge is a special type called a bascule bridge. A bascule bridge has a movable section that can be raised to let boats pass underneath.
The first Brickell Avenue Bridge was built in 1929. It was replaced with the current bridge in 1995. In 2006, the bridge was made wider. This helped to reduce traffic jams in downtown Miami. Today, the bridge has three lanes for cars in each direction. It also has walkways for people on both sides.
Even with the extra lanes, the bridge can still cause traffic delays. This happens when the movable part opens for boats. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reported that the bridge opened almost 5,000 times in 2010.
The Tequesta Family Statue
One of the most interesting parts of the Brickell Avenue Bridge is a large bronze statue. This statue is 53 feet tall! It was created by a Cuban artist named Manuel Carbonell in 1995. The statue is called the "Pillar of History."
What the Statue Shows
The "Pillar of History" has two main parts:
- A tall column that is 36 feet high. This column has detailed carvings called bas-reliefs. These carvings tell the story of the Tequesta Indians. The Tequesta were the first people to live in the Miami area. The column shows 158 different figures from their lives.
- A 17-foot bronze sculpture at the very top. This part is called the "Tequesta Family." It shows a Tequesta warrior aiming an arrow towards the sky. He is looking for a place in eternity. His wife and child are by his side. The child covers his face, perhaps thinking about the future of their people.
Honoring Miami's Pioneers
Manuel Carbonell also created four smaller bas-reliefs for the bridge. These are 4 feet by 8 feet in size. They are placed in special spots on the bridge's supporting piers. Each of these reliefs honors important people who helped build Miami. These pioneers include:
- William and Mary Brickell
- Henry Flagler
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas
- Julia Tuttle
These sculptures help to tell the story of Miami's past. They show both the ancient people and the early founders of the city.
