Merrill Barber Bridge

From Indian River Lagoon Project

Merrill P. Barber Bridge, built in 1995 by Odebrecht Contractors of Florida, Inc., is a concrete arch bridge that spans SR60 over the Indian River and Intracoastal Waterway in Indian River County, Florida. Merrill Barber bridge has a total length of 3,834 feet (1,169 m) with a main span of 100 feet (30 m) and a 65 ft vertical clearance. The Florida Department of Transportation number for this bridge is 880087.


Merrill Barber Bridge
Waterway: Central Indian River Road: SR60
City: Vero Beach County: Indian River
Type: concrete arch Builder:Odebrecht
DOT: 880087 L: 3834' H: 62' Built: 1995-01-01
Location: (27.65293,-80.37329)
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The Merrill Barber Bridge is a concrete arch bridge that spans SR60 over the Indian River in Indian River County, Florida.

History

Merrill P. Barber Bridge (SR60)

The original connection to the barrier island was a curved wooden structure built on cabbage palm pilings and opened in 1920.

In 1951, the wooden bridge was replaced with a concrete bridge with a steel bascule span. This bridge was in constant state of disrepair and was removed, barged out to sea and sunk as an artificial reef.

The old steel bascule span was purchased by Disney and is now in Orlando at the Walt Disney World theme park.

The bridge is named for Merrill P. Barber, the mayor of Vero Beach from 1947 to 1949, and member of the Florida Senate from the 12th District from 1954 to 1958 and from the 29th District from 1963 to 1968.

Fact Sheet

Source: National Bridge Inventory. Information not verified; use at your own risk.

Name:SR-60 over ICWW
Structure number:880087
Location:0.6Mi. W of SR-A1A
Purpose:Carries highway and pedestrian walkway over waterway
Route classification:Minor Arterial (Urban) [16]
Length of largest span:142.1 ft. [43.3 m]
Total length:3834.2 ft. [1168.6 m]
Roadway width between curbs:80.1 ft. [24.4 m]
Deck width edge-to-edge:99.1 ft. [30.2 m]
Vertical clearance below bridge:62.3 ft. [19.0 m]
Owner:State Highway Agency [01]
Year built:1995
Historic significance:Bridge is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places [5]
Design load:MS 18+Mod / HS 20+Mod [6]
Number of main spans:27
Main spans material:Prestressed concrete continuous [6]
Main spans design:Stringer/Multi-beam or girder [02]
Deck type:Concrete Cast-in-Place [1]

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