Bridge of Lions facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bridge of Lions
View of the original bridge from Castillo de San Marcos in 2003.
Carries	2 general purpose lanes of SR A1A and 2 sidewalks
Crosses	Matanzas River (Intracoastal Waterway)
Locale	St. Augustine, Florida
Official name	Bridge of Lions
Maintained by	Florida Department of Transportation
ID number	780074
Characteristics
Design	steel bascule bridge
Total length	1,545 feet (471 m)
Width	34 feet (10 m)
Longest span	87 feet (27 m)
Clearance above	N/A
Clearance below	25 feet (7.6 m) closed
History
Opened	February 26, 1927 (original bridge) March 17, 2010 (current bridge)
Bridge of Lions
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Florida Show map of Florida Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	St. Augustine, Florida  United States
Built	1927
Architect	J. E. Greiner Company
NRHP reference No.	82001040
Added to NRHP	19 November 1982

The Bridge of Lions is a double-leaf bascule bridge located in St. Augustine, Florida, United States. It connects downtown St. Augustine to Anastasia Island across Matanzas Bay.

The bridge gets its name from two Carrara marble Medici lions statues that are copies of those found in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, Italy.

First Bridge

Before the construction of the Bridge of Lions, a wooden bridge, built in 1895, served as the main connection to the island. It was called simply "The Bridge to Anastasia Island" or "South Beach railroad bridge". In 1904, it underwent a renovation and could accomodate a trolley. The span contained no rise, and had a movable opening for ship traffic, and charged a toll for transit.

Original Bridge of Lions

Henry Rodenbaugh is considered the "Father of the Bridge of Lions". In the early 1920s he organized the bond issue to finance the new bridge as the old one frequently broke down. The new bridge was designed not merely to carry cars, but to be a work of art.

The marble Medici lions that guard the bridge were a gift of Dr. Andrew Anderson (1839–1924), the builder of the Markland House. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to see them installed.

Temporary bridge

After nearly 80 years of service, an official closing ceremony for the original Bridge of Lions was held on May 26, 2006.

A temporary bridge was constructed adjacent to the original bridge and traffic was diverted to this structure while the original bridge was being rehabilitated and reconstructed to look like its predecessor. The rehabilitation project cost $80 million.

On March 17, 2010 the bridge was reopened for use. The temporary bridge was removed and the restored Lion statues were returned after a 6-year absence.

New Bridge of Lions

Currently the bridge opens when requested by a vessel only on the hour and half hour between 7:00am and 6:00pm, but not at 8:00am, 12:00pm, and 5:00pm except on Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays.

Interesting facts about the Bridge of Lions

• The Bridge of Lions is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Henry Rodenbaugh's young daughter Jean poured the first bucket of concrete when the construction of the Bridge of Lions began in 1925.
• Isabella Heard, one of the young girls on the lead float in the opening of the bridge in 1927, tied the ribbon for its closing 79 years later.
• The bridge ranked fourth in the nation's top 10 bridges in the 2010 survey conducted by Roads & Bridges magazine.

Gallery

• 

  The original bridge to Anastasia Island, prior to the Bridge of Lions

• 

  The bridge's bascule draw span open for a ship

• 

  A Medici lion on the bridge, prior to renovation and relocation.

• 

  New Years fireworks at St Augustine seen through the Bridge of Lions, with the structure of the temporary bridge visible.

• 

  The lions restored to their original 1925 location, following completion of the bridge upgrade.

• 

  The bridge as seen from the west bank, in downtown Saint Augustine.

• 

  The bridge, with the center span open, as seen from the Castillo de San Marcos.

See also

In Spanish: Puente de los Leones (San Agustín) para niños