Melbourne Causeway
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne Causeway is located entirely within Brevard County, Florida
in the United States
. It is composed of three bridges and connects the municipalities of Melbourne, Florida
and Indialantic, Florida
across the Indian River Lagoon
in Brevard County. The causeway is part of U.S. 192 (also known as SR 500
), whose eastern terminus is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the bridge, at SR A1A
. East of the bridge, the road is known locally as Fifth Avenue. On the western side, the road continues through downtown Melbourne as Strawbridge Avenue. Each July 4 the bridge is closed for a fireworks show.
There are two bridges in Melbourne, the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway
(SR 518) With the latter being named for the old city of Eau Gallie
, which merged with Melbourne in 1969.
began construction of the second bridge across the Indian River
in 1919. The first bridge was completed 2 years earlier near Cocoa, Florida
. By May 1921 the bridge was complete and unofficially opened as a toll bridge. It was 9,706 feet ( 2958 meters) or nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) long ( 3 kilometers). Approximately 1/3 of the way from Melbourne there was a 134 feet (40.8 m) long hand operated draw. On September 18, 1921 it officially opened. A Mr. J.E. Campbell was the first to drive across the bridge. During construction three sawmills were built by Ernest Kouwen-Hoven
. They did not all exist at the same time. The first one was in Melbourne Village, the second was on the Nevin Property on Merritt Island
, and the third was 5 miles (8 km) west of Grant.
and Indialantic
. This bridge was a low-rise swing draw bridge. On August 1, 1947 Mrs. Ernest Kouwen-Hoven cut the ribbon and the same J.E. Campbell that crossed the first bridge, was the first to cross this bridge.
Bridge is the official name of the high-rise span. This name is not used locally, and only appears in official government documents.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is composed of three bridges and connects the municipalities of Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
and Indialantic, Florida
Indialantic, Florida
Indialantic is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The name is a portmanteau derived from the town's location between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean....
across the Indian River Lagoon
Indian River Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who lived along the east coast of Florida....
in Brevard County. The causeway is part of U.S. 192 (also known as SR 500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
), whose eastern terminus is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the bridge, at SR A1A
Florida State Road A1A
State Road A1A is a Florida State Road that runs mostly along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Callahan, just south of Georgia. It is the main road through most oceanfront towns. SR A1A is designated the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, a...
. East of the bridge, the road is known locally as Fifth Avenue. On the western side, the road continues through downtown Melbourne as Strawbridge Avenue. Each July 4 the bridge is closed for a fireworks show.
There are two bridges in Melbourne, the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway
Eau Gallie Causeway
The Eau Gallie Causeway connects Eau Gallie, Florida , with SR A1A near Indian Harbour Beach, across the Indian River Lagoon. Located entirely within the Melbourne city limits, the causeway consists of a main bridge crossing over the Intracoastal Waterway and a relief bridge...
(SR 518) With the latter being named for the old city of Eau Gallie
Eau Gallie, Florida
Eau Gallie was a city in Brevard County, Florida from 1857 until 1969 when citizens voted to merge with neighboring Melbourne, Florida. It is now a small district in the north part of the city, near the Eau Gallie Causeway. William Henry Gleason founded the city. From 1874 to 1878 it served as the...
, which merged with Melbourne in 1969.
First Bridge
Ernest Kouwen-HovenErnest Kouwen-Hoven
Ernest Kouwen-Hoven came to the U.S at the age of 20 from the Netherlands. In 1908, his son, Jack, was born. His daughter, Phylis, followed in 1910. In 1915, the family arrived in Melbourne, Florida from California. He purchased land and platted it in 1916, thus founding Indialantic, Florida. The...
began construction of the second bridge across the Indian River
Indian River (Florida)
The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system which forms the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends southward from the Ponce de Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida [Volusia County] southward and across the "Haulover Canal" and along the western shore...
in 1919. The first bridge was completed 2 years earlier near Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 16,478. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Cocoa was...
. By May 1921 the bridge was complete and unofficially opened as a toll bridge. It was 9,706 feet ( 2958 meters) or nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) long ( 3 kilometers). Approximately 1/3 of the way from Melbourne there was a 134 feet (40.8 m) long hand operated draw. On September 18, 1921 it officially opened. A Mr. J.E. Campbell was the first to drive across the bridge. During construction three sawmills were built by Ernest Kouwen-Hoven
Ernest Kouwen-Hoven
Ernest Kouwen-Hoven came to the U.S at the age of 20 from the Netherlands. In 1908, his son, Jack, was born. His daughter, Phylis, followed in 1910. In 1915, the family arrived in Melbourne, Florida from California. He purchased land and platted it in 1916, thus founding Indialantic, Florida. The...
. They did not all exist at the same time. The first one was in Melbourne Village, the second was on the Nevin Property on Merritt Island
Merritt Island, Florida
Merritt Island is a census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east coast of the state on the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2000 census, the population was 36,090. It is part of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and the third was 5 miles (8 km) west of Grant.
Second Bridge
In 1941, construction began on the second bridge between MelbourneMelbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
and Indialantic
Indialantic, Florida
Indialantic is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The name is a portmanteau derived from the town's location between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean....
. This bridge was a low-rise swing draw bridge. On August 1, 1947 Mrs. Ernest Kouwen-Hoven cut the ribbon and the same J.E. Campbell that crossed the first bridge, was the first to cross this bridge.
Third Bridge
The third bridge contains two twin spans that are 2592.5 feet (790.2 m) long. According to the Melbourne Centennial Book the official start of construction was February 2, 1976, and the bridge was expected to be complete by fall of 1977. It appears to have been delayed with the westbound span being constructed in 1977 and ending 2 years later. From bridge id numbers, it appears that the western relief bridges were also constructed during this time. Construction of the eastbound span did not begin until 1981 and finished in 1984.Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge
The Ernest Kouwen-HovenErnest Kouwen-Hoven
Ernest Kouwen-Hoven came to the U.S at the age of 20 from the Netherlands. In 1908, his son, Jack, was born. His daughter, Phylis, followed in 1910. In 1915, the family arrived in Melbourne, Florida from California. He purchased land and platted it in 1916, thus founding Indialantic, Florida. The...
Bridge is the official name of the high-rise span. This name is not used locally, and only appears in official government documents.
Relief Bridges
These bridges are unremarkable, and have no appreciable change in grade. The easternmost relief bridge is commonly used by local fishermen.Bridge ID's
- Town of Indialantic Meeting Minutes September 14, 2005
- Town of Indialantic Meeting Minutes April 19, 2005
- Contract Bidding Information for main-span work
Bridge Length
- Florida Geographical Data Library
- Search under Transportation Networks, "Bridges" retrieve "RCI Bridges". Data retrieved by using modified shp2text program.
Original Bridge Length
Bridge History
- Melbourne Beach Historical Trail
- Town of Indialantic History Page
- Brevard County Historical Commission - Indian River Journal Quarterly - Fall 2002
- Melbourne Centennial Book. Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. 1980