Draw Bridge Ahead - Prepare to Stop When Flashing!

Johns Pass Bridge (FL 699)

01/06/08

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 Created by a hurricane way back in 1848, Johns Pass was named after John LeVeque who visited the area to hide some treasures he had amassed earlier.  When John LeVeque tried to retrieve his treasure the hurricane of 1848 came through and created the passage between Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico where it is believed the treasure was buried.

The original Johns Pass Bridge was constructed probably in the late 1920's or early 1930's and was a low-level two-lane drawbridge carrying Gulf Blvd. (FL 699) between Treasure Island and Madeira Beach and served its purpose for many years.  However, growth in the immediate Johns Pass area and the strong currents within Johns Pass forced the Florida DOT to consider a new twin span Johns Pass Bridge built on a different alignment to avoid the many shops sprouting up on Gulf Blvd. in the immediate vicinity of Johns Pass.

A new twin-span drawbridge was constructed and opened in 1971, with the original span to the east demolished shortly thereafter.  Even though the pier bents were designed squarely with the current, the Johns Pass Bridge began seeing scouring problems as back as 1981.  Additional piers were installed underneath the existing pier bents so that the piers would not sink.

Unlike most other drawbridges in Pinellas County where openings are restricted to a time schedule, the Johns Pass Bridge opens on demand and for a very good reason:  The swift current prevalent in Johns Pass.  The frequent yet justified bridge openings have had motorists waiting lengthy periods to get across.  One business just immediately south of Johns Pass advertised drinks for 50 cents if the bridge was up.

Work began in 2006 on replacing the current Johns Pass Bridge with a twin span of new drawbridges.  As of December 2007 work is progressing on the southbound bridge and when the southbound bridge is done, the northbound bridge will be reconstructed on the same alignment.  However, the center drawbridge section will be elevated a little higher so that less openings can take place.

My idea for replacing the Johns Pass Bridge

As of December 2007 work is progressing on replacing the twin drawbridges of the Johns Pass Bridge with new drawbridges which will be higher and on the same alignment.  However, I have two ideas which I believe would have been better than replacing an existing drawbridge with a new drawbridge with a higher vertical clearance, given the heavy traffic frequenting the bridge especially during the tourist season.

1.  High level fixed bridge:  This would have proven ideal not only for vehicular and pedestrian traffic but for boating traffic as well.  Traffic would not be inconvenienced by the constant bridge openings and boaters would not have to be waiting in the swift current of Johns Pass.  However, a high level fixed bridge at Johns Pass would bring strong opposition to the immediate community in that a fixed level bridge would obstruct pristine views of the Gulf of Mexico and its beaches.

2.  Tunnel:  Ft. Lauderdale has the only vehicular tunnel in the State of Florida, and it's under the New River which carries US 1 south of downtown Ft. Lauderdale.  I believe the tunnel replaced a drawbridge which had been in operation for many years and motorists were becoming annoyed of the inconveniences when the bridge is opened.  Why couldn't a tunnel be an option for Johns Pass?

A tunnel would preserve the pristine beach views enjoyed by the immediate Johns Pass community as well as have the Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk blend in with the character of the area.  However, a tunnel has its drawbacks, mainly the prohibitive cost to construct to begin with.  Then you have the water table that's in the area and certain vehicles would not be permitted to use the tunnel.

Johns Pass Bridge In The Movies

In the movie Summer Rental (1985) there is a scene in which the northbound lanes of the Johns Pass Bridge are featured as the family arrives in Florida after a tiring drive from Atlanta.  If you have watched this movie you will also get a glimpse of what the southbound lanes of the Johns Pass Bridge looked like, as Summer Rental was filmed 20+ years before work on the replacement Johns Pass bridges began.  (Believe me, driving from Atlanta to Tampa on Interstate 75 and vice versa is a grueling eight-hour-at-least drive; the other option is to fly and have to navigate Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport and pay the high air fares!)

Johns Pass Bridge Photos

Approaching the Johns Pass Bridge

Notice how the northbound span is presently being used to carry two way traffic while the southbound span of the Johns Pass Bridge is being replaced.

View of Johns Pass Bridge construction

We see that the new southbound span of the Johns Pass Bridge is beginning to take shape here as seen from the pedestrian walkway of the northbound span.

Temporary traffic signal

This is a temporary drawbridge traffic signal for southbound traffic. The new bridges will have permanent traffic signals.

Approaching the center span

Here's a view of the old and new Johns Pass Bridge as we approach the center span. Notice that some of the steel bridge parts have been installed.

Steel grid decking

Here is the steel grid deck on the current northbound span of the Johns Pass Bridge. I am not sure if the new bridges will be concrete all the way across like the Treasure Island Causeway or will it be another steel grid deck as before.

Bridge tender's house

This is the bridge tender's house on the current Johns Pass Bridge, which is designed like the Corey Causeway Bridge as well as a few other Florida DOT bridges. When the new bridges open the bridge tender's house will be moved to the opposite side of the bridge offering a great view of motorists, boaters and the Gulf of Mexico.

Artists' rendition of the new Johns Pass Bridge

This was posted on the door to the bridge tender's house and it shows what the new Johns Pass Bridge will look like when it's all said and done. Believe me, we have to go through some inconvenience but in the end it will be a better bridge for you and I.

Looking towards Treasure Island

This is the current northbound span of the Johns Pass Bridge carrying two-way traffic as we descend into Treasure Island. Notice that the girders for the new bridge are already in place.

Closeup view of construction

This is a closeup view of construction on the new span of the Johns Pass Bridge as seen from the pedestrian sidewalk. (Through the magic of the zoom feature of my digital camera, of course).

Steel section of the new Johns Pass Bridge

Here is a newly installed steel section as seen from the pedestrian walkway. I am not sure if this is a movable part or not.

Closeup of the steel section

Here is a closeup of the steel section of the new Johns Pass Bridge. I think this may have something to do with the movable bridge mechanism but I am not sure. After all, this was taken from the publicly accessible pedestrian sidewalk on the northbound span.

South end of Johns Pass

You can see the many restaurants that have sprouted on the Treasure Island side of Johns Pass.

North end of Johns Pass

Here you can see the Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk just across Johns Pass on the Madeira Beach side. Notice the SunCruz Casino ship docked at the village.

Drawbridge traffic signal

This is the traffic signal mounted on a mast arm which was built when the 1971 bridges were upgraded not too long ago. The traffic signals are green but turn red when the bridge has to go up to let a boat through. It will probably be taken down when work begins on the replacement northbound span.

Another view looking north

You can see the gates in the foreground and the construction cranes in the background.

More steel grid decking

This is the steel grid deck of the Johns Pass Bridge looking north. Notice the heavy use of the Johns Pass Bridge from day one back in 1971.

Center of the movable spans

The line that separates the steel plate from the steel grid on the pedestrian walkway is where the bridge opens up. Additionally, the steel plate is a hatch for the locking mechanism as the bridge leaves must be locked before traffic is allowed on the bridge.

Counterweight section

Here we see the section of concrete grid deck (between the steel grid deck and the solid concrete pavement) that goes down into the pit below when the bridge is raised. Further below on the solid concrete deck is the counterweights responsible for balancing the bascule bridge leaves.

Looking north towards Madeira Beach

Here we see the various condominiums that dot the landscape of Madeira Beach as we make our northbound landfall on the Johns Pass Bridge.

Drawbridge gates

Like all other drawbridges, gates are of the railroad crossing type. The lights on top blink when the gates are lowered. Additionally, a bell rings when the gates are lowered or raised.

On the northern shore of Johns Pass

Looking north on Gulf Blvd. we see the newly constructed additions to Johns Pass Village to the right. Believe me, Gulf Blvd. is two-lane while the construction on the new bridges are taking place; however, we'll have a newer Johns Pass Bridge when it's all said and done.

1971 inscription

The 1971 inscription is when the twin Johns Pass bridges opened for traffic replacing an older low-level drawbridge to the east.

Tugboat at the bridge

This is a tugboat which is probably related to the construction activities going on at the bridge. I presume it's parked there for the night.

Sunset and bridge construction

Sunset on Johns Pass while construction progresses on the southbound span.

Looking north on the Treasure Island side

This is a 2006 photo I took of the Johns Pass Bridge heading north from Treasure Island as construction was getting underway on the southbound span.

Another view northbound

Here's another 2006 view of the Johns Pass Bridge with the bridge tender's house to the right as we approach the steel grid deck of the center span.

Draw Bridge Ahead

The standard warning sign for motorists approaching a drawbridge. The font used in this sign is FHWA Series B which was the standard a long time ago. Current Florida DOT standards today call for the use of the FHWA Series C font on Draw Bridge Ahead warning signs. Speaking of fonts, FHWA Series B is taller while FHWA Series C is wider.

Draw Bridge Ahead, Part II

Notice the use of the FHWA Series C font on this warning sign on the southern end of the Johns Pass Bridge facing northbound traffic, different than its counterpart on the northern end of the Johns Pass Bridge.

On the way up!

The mighty steel grid deck of the Johns Pass Bridge as it rises to permit a boat the right of passage.

All the way up!

This is the Johns Pass Bridge in its fully upward steel grid deck glory. As you can see this used to be the northbound span but it temporarily carries two way traffic while the replacement southbound span (together with a new bridge tender tower) is under construction.

Source of information for the history of Johns Pass is from the Johns Pass visitor portal site.

 

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This site was last updated 01/06/08