1999 span looking westbound

Here is a view of the 1999 Indian Rocks Bridge as you head west on FL 688 into Indian Rocks Beach.

Another view looking westbound

We see the Drawbridge Ahead traffic signal mounted on the Florida standard mast arm. The signal turns red when the bridge has to be opened. Also notice that we are still on terra firma on the Largo side as the Indian Rocks Bridge is a short bridge.

Bridge tender's house

The Florida DOT did a great job on this bridge tender's house when it was constructed in 1999 along with the new bridge. The bridge tender's house controls not only the 1999 span but the 1958 span as well. By comparison the 1958 bridge tender's house was street level like the Tierra Verde Bridge and the Pinellas Bayway.

Steel grid decking

This is the steel grid decking on the 1999 bridge. Notice how the jersey barriers are steel along with the deck as this is the part of the bridge that rises when a boat has to pass through.

Closeup of the steel grid decking

This is a closeup of the steel grid decking on the 1999 Indian Rocks Bridge. Again notice how the decking and the jersey barrier are all steel construction.

Pedestrian walkway on the 1999 bridge

Notice how the pedestrian walkway on the 1999 bridge is constructed of solid steel. It provides for a smooth walking surface that pedestrians don't even know that they are on a steel section of the bridge other than the occasional rumbling you feel on your feet as a vehicle rolls past you on the steel grid deck nearby.

Coming into Indian Rocks Beach

Here is where FL 688 makes its turn to the west as it makes its descent into Indian Rocks Beach and Gulf Blvd. (FL 699).

Speed Limit 30 mph

Reduce your speed here - traffic enforcement in any of the beach towns of Pinellas County tends to be strict.

Looking eastbound on the 1958 span

Here we are at the Drawbridge Ahead traffic signal as we enter the 1958 Indian Rocks Bridge. Notice that we are still on terra firma as we are on the Indian Rocks side and all traffic stops here when the bridge is opened.

Closeup of Drawbridge Ahead signal

This is a closeup of the Drawbridge Ahead traffic signal as described in the previous photograph.

Eastbound on the 1958 span

We are on the 1958 span of the Indian Rocks Bridge looking east towards Largo. Notice the railings of the 1958 span as seen to the right are different than the 1999 span. The 1958 span served as a two-way bridge for many years.

Fender system

This is the system of wooden and concrete pilings on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway channel to protect the 1958 and 1999 drawbridge equipment from errant boats. After all, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is narrow at this point which is why this body of water is called The Narrows.

Approach to the steel grid decking

Here is the approach to the steel grid decking of the movable span of the 1958 Indian Rocks Bridge. The part in the foreground from the metal plate to the start of the steel grid deck (called a concrete grid deck) moves downward as the steel grid deck rises. Beneath where I am standing are the counterweights (you can't see them) which balance the bridge as it moves up or down.

Steel grid decking on the 1958 bridge

The steel grid decking you see here on the 1958 bridge is identical to the 1999 bridge immediately north of where I am standing. Besides, the center of the steel grid where the bridge opens is the city limits between Indian Rocks Beach and Largo.

Looking downward through the steel grid deck

You can see the Intracoastal Waterway straight down through the steel grid deck. Notice how the steel grid deck is made of so many uprights; the top layer is how tires effectively grip the surface of the deck and makes the characteristic hum as you drive over the deck. By comparison, it is this kind of steel grid deck that saved Richard Hornbuckle's Buick Skylark from going over the end of the severed southbound span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on 9 May 1980.

Pedestrian walkway on the 1958 bridge

This is the pedestrian walkway as seen on the 1958 Indian Rocks Bridge. Notice that it is a steel grid unlike the solid steel on the 1999 bridge. You can also see part of the fender system looking down through the deck.

Bridge tender houses

In the foreground is where the 1958 bridge tender house once stood. The 1999 bridge tender house that controls both bridges is pictured in the background.

Looking east towards Largo

This is FL 688 as it exits the Indian Rocks Bridge and enters Largo.

Closeup of the 1958 bridge railing

This bridge railing reminds me of the bridge railings of the old Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the railings currently in use on the Tierra Verde Bridge and the Pinellas Bayway.

Drawbridge gate

Standard railroad crossing style gate with lights on the top. The lights blink when the gates have to be lowered.

On terra firma (Largo, that is)

Now did I tell you that the Indian Rocks Bridge is a very short bridge?

Looking west on the 1958 bridge

As I mentioned previously the Indian Rocks Bridge was a two-lane span for many years until it was widened with construction of the parallel bridge in 1999.

Welcome to Largo

On the other side is a Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach sign. The city limits of both Largo and Indian Rocks Beach are located at the center of the bridge.

Looking north on the Intracoastal Waterway

You can see the Bellair Causeway - both the present bridge and the new high rise bridge - in the far background. This was taken from the observation deck of the George McGonough Nature Park, Largo's version of St. Petersburg's Boyd Hill Nature Park (minus the admission price).

Junction FL 699 and CR 183

Junction of Gulf Blvd. in Indian Rocks Beach where FL 699 and CR 183 come together. The road name may be the same, but FL 699 runs south to the Pinellas Bayway and FL 682 in St. Pete Beach while CR 183 runs north across the Sand Key Bridge to Clearwater Beach.

Walk your bikes across the draw span

Bicyclists, you are warned: The steel grid deck ahead can get slippery causing you to lose control of your bike. So, you might be better off walking your bike across the Indian Rocks Bridge (or any other drawbridge with a steel grid deck).

Draw Bridge Ahead, Part 1

This is the Draw Bridge Ahead warning sign with the flashing yellow beacon, activated when the bridge is being opened. This is on the east side of the Indian Rocks bridge facing westbound traffic.

Draw Bridge Ahead, Part 2

Same warning sign as the previous photograph, only it's on the west side of the Indian Rocks Bridge facing eastbound traffic.