FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge
Encyclopedia
The FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge is a double track railroad bridge spanning the St. Johns River
in Jacksonville, Florida
.
Completed in 1925, this structure replaced a single-track swing bridge
which opened on January 5, 1890. The current structure is a simple truss bridge
with plate girder
approaches and a bascule
lift allowing ships to pass. It runs immediately next to the Acosta Bridge
.
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
.
Completed in 1925, this structure replaced a single-track swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
which opened on January 5, 1890. The current structure is a simple truss bridge
Truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern bridges...
with plate girder
Plate girder bridge
A plate girder bridge is a bridge supported by two or more plate girders. The plate girders are typically I-beams made up from separate structural steel plates , which are welded or, in older bridges, bolted or riveted together to form the vertical web and horizontal flanges of the beam...
approaches and a bascule
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
lift allowing ships to pass. It runs immediately next to the Acosta Bridge
Acosta Bridge
The Acosta Bridge spans the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida on a fixed span. It was named for City Councilman St. Elmo W. Acosta, who convinced voters to approve a $950,000 bond issue for the original bridge. It carries SR 13 with the two-track JTA Skyway in the median. Prior to its...
.