John Gorrie Memorial Bridge

John Gorrie Memorial Bridge
John Gorrie Memorial Bridge
	Apalachicola Bay, with the John Gorrie Bridge in the background.
Coordinates	29°43′48″N 84°56′22″W / 29.73008°N 84.939423°W
Carries	US 98 / US 319 / SR 30
Crosses	Apalachicola Bay
Locale	Apalachicola, Florida
Named for	John Gorrie
Characteristics
Total length	13,200 feet (4,000 meters)
History
Opened	November 11, 1935
Rebuilt	1988
Location

29°43′48″N 84°56′22″W / 29.73008°N 84.939423°W / 29.73008; -84.939423

The John Gorrie Bridge carries US 98 and US 319 over the Apalachicola Bay. It connects Apalachicola, Florida, with Eastpoint, Florida.^[1] The original John Gorrie Bridge was built in 1935, replacing a ferry service between the two towns. It included a rotating section to allow passage of ships with high masts. The current bridge was built in 1988.

Dedication

The Gorrie Bridge Opening Celebration was held on Armistice Day, November 11, 1935. Florida Governor David Sholtz cut the ribbon to officially open what was referred to as the Florida West Coast Scenic Highway.^[2]

References

^ Waitley, Douglas (2003). Best Backroads of Florida. Pineapple Press. pp. 227–232. ISBN 978-1-56164-283-0.
^ Crestview, Florida, "Northwest Florida's New Highway", Okaloosa News-Journal, Friday 1 November 1935, Volume 21, Number 49, page 2.