By Debi Lander
mail@floridanewsline.com
The United States is home to some of the most remarkable bridges in the world, each with its own story and architectural significance. My travels captured memories from the following bridges. How many have you crossed?
1. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, CA)
Arguably the most iconic bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge spans a strait connecting San Francisco to Marin County. This suspension bridge, completed in 1937, stretches 1.7 miles and is instantly recognizable for its striking International Orange color and Art Deco design. Don’t miss the pedestrian walkway.
2. Brooklyn Bridge (New York City)
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge ever built. Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River, it remains one of New York City’s most celebrated landmarks, blending Gothic towers with steel cables.
3. George Washington Bridge (NYC–NJ)
The busiest bridge in the world, the George Washington Bridge spans the Hudson River, linking New York City and New Jersey. Opened in 1931, this double-decked suspension bridge carries millions of vehicles each year and offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
4. Mackinac Bridge (Michigan)
Connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges, spanning five miles across the Straits of Mackinac. This bridge, which opened in 1957, offers a vital transportation link.
5. Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Virginia)
A marvel of modern engineering, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel stretches 17.6 miles, connecting Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the mainland. Opened in 1964, it features a combination of bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands, making it one of the most unique bridge systems in the world. Be sure to stop in the Visitor Center to learn about its construction.
6. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (Louisiana)
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway stretches nearly 24 miles and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest continuous bridge over water. It offers drivers a journey across Louisiana’s vast and foreboding lake near New Orleans.
7. Bixby Creek Bridge (Big Sur, CA)
A symbol of the rugged beauty of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the country. This concrete arch bridge, opened in 1931, offers memorable cliffs and ocean views along Big Sur. I remember crossing Bixby Bridge during the Big Sur Marathon.
8. Seven Mile Bridge (Florida Keys)
If you’ve driven to Key West, you’ve traveled across the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, which connects Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key. Initially completed in 1912 as part of the Florida East Coast Railway, a 1935 hurricane tore up the tracks. The current (1982) bridge runs parallel to the original and remains one of the longest bridges in the U.S. While stretching over turquoise waters, some sections hover just above the surface.
9. Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Tampa Bay)
One of the most visually striking bridges is Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which spans Tampa Bay. Completed in 1987, this cable-stayed bridge becomes colorfully illuminated at night. You cannot walk across it — it’s a 180-foot drop into the water.
10. Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (Seattle, WA)
The longest floating bridge in the world spans Lake Washington between Seattle and Medina. The current version, completed in 2016, features modern engineering improvements.
For me, bridges are more than just platforms that physically link two places, they evoke emotions that connect and unite me to the place.
Visit www.bylandersea.com to read more of local travel writer Debi Lander’s stories and travel tips.
Photo courtesy Bobbie Ray
Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
