Carries CR 78 Locale Matlacha, Florida Construction started 1927 Clearance below 2.74 m Bridge type Bascule bridge | Crosses Matlacha Pass Official name Malacha Bridge Opened 18 November 2012 Location Matlacha Body of water Matchala Pass | |
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Coordinates 26°37'57.55"N/82°04'04.68"W Maintained by Lee County Department of Transportation Similar Bascule bridge, Matlacha Community Park, Leoma Lovegrove, Cape Coral Bridge, Redfish Pass | ||
Matlacha bridge reef project underwater video
The Matlacha Bridge (pronounced "Mat-La-Shay") is a small single-leaf drawbridge located in Matlacha, Florida. It carries County Road 78 (Pine Island Road) over Matlacha Pass, connecting Pine Island with the mainland in Cape Coral.
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The first bridge spanning Matlacha Pass was a small wooden swing bridge. The first bridge was built largely in part to the influence of Pine Island resident Harry Stingfellow, who served as a county commissioner from 1926 to 1953.
The first bridge was replaced with a concrete bascule bridge in 1968. The bridge became a very popular fishing spot for local residents, and was nicknamed "The fishingest bridge in the world". The current bascule bridge opened on November 18, 2012. The current span is 9 feet tall, similar to its predecessor.
After its demolition, the previous bridge (the one built in 1968) was made into an artificial reef at Novak's reef, which is about 3 miles off the coast of Charlotte County.