The Matlacha Bridge is a small single-leaf drawbridge

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....

 located in Matlacha, Florida

Matlacha, Florida

Matlacha is a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 735. It is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area...

. It carries State Road 78 (Pine Island Road) over Matlacha Pass, connecting Pine Island

Pine Island (Lee County, Florida)

Pine Island is an island located in Lee County, Florida, on the Gulf coast of southwest Florida. It is the largest island in the state of Florida, and the 118th largest island in the United States. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through Pine Island Sound, to the west of the island. Matlacha Pass...

 with the mainland in Cape Coral

Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral is a municipality located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. With an area of , Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and...

.

The Matlacha Bridge first opened in 1927 as a wooden swing bridge, and it is only 9 feet tall. Since its opening, the bridge has become a very popular fishing spot for local residents. It has been nicknamed "The fishingest bridge in the world".

Due to its old age, the Lee County

Lee County, Florida

Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...

Department of Transportation has decided to replace the current bridge built in 1968. The new bridge will be identical to the current bridge, a 9-foot single-leaf drawbridge. Construction is set to begin in September 2010, and is expected to be completed by late 2012.