Canaveral Locks Bridge

About the Canaveral Locks Bridge

Connecting Kennedy Space Center with Cape Canaveral, the SR 401 drawbridges across the Canaveral Barge Canal are three parallel double leaf bascule bridges, that have a vertical clearance of 25 feet at MHW in the closed to navigation position and a horizontal clearance of 90 feet between the fender system. Presently, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.273(b), the bridges shall open on signal, except that from 6:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the bridges need not open and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the bridges must open on signal if at least three hours notice is given. The bridges must open as soon as possible for the passage of public vessels of the Uniteds States and tugs with tows. The Canaveral Port Authority, with concurrence from the bridge owner, Florida Department of Transportation requested the operating schedule be changed to allow the bridges to not open to navigation from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This will provide relief to the increase in vehicle traffic congestion on the weekends while meeting the reasonable needs of navigation.

As of January 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard modified the operating schedule that governs the SR 401 Drawbridges across the Canaveral Barge Canal, at Port Canaveral, Florida. This modification was necessary to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and to ensure the safety of roadways while passengers are transiting to and from the cruise ship terminals. Since the arrival of additional cruise ships to the Port of Canaveral, traffic back-ups have been caused by the on demand drawbridge openings. This modification allows the bridges to not open to navigation during prime cruise ship passenger loading and unloading times (11am-2pm) on Saturdays and Sundays.

In 2019, Port Canaveral's SpaceFlorida was awarded a $90 million federal grant to replace the triple Bascule bridge with twin high rise bridges.

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Coordinates (28° 24′ 32.26″ N, 80° 37′ 53.53″ W) (28.408961, -80.631536)

Images

Thanks to photographer Rusty Clark for sharing the following images and text via Commons.

Port Canaveral Barge Canal Bridge with bascule spans raised - from southwest

The Port Canaveral Barge Canal Bridge, on Florida highway SR 401, consists of three adjacent bridges, all with double-leaf bascule-type drawbridge spans.

Port Canaveral Barge Canal Bridge - from southwest (2016)

This view from the southwest mainly shows the westernmost bridge (one of two for southbound traffic, both built in 1963), with the two adjacent bridges mostly obscured from view. The upper portion of the bridge operator's house (or tender's house) for the draw spans is visible, between the nearest bridge and the adjacent bridge.

Bridge tender's house - Port Canaveral Barge Canal Bridge

The bridge tender's house for the Port Canaveral Barge Canal Bridge, on Florida highway SR 401. The bridge actually consists of three adjacent bridges, all with double-leaf bascule-type drawbridge spans, the opening of which is controlled from here.

Freedom Star passes through Canaveral Draw Bridge (KSC-2012-1981)

NASA’s Freedom Star boat sets out for a day of testing after departing from port near Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for the Atlantic Ocean with NASA’s Mobile Aerospace Reconnaissance System, or MARS, secured aboard. Here it is seen passing through the SR-401 Canaveral Draw Bridge in the Canaveral Barge Canal, just off the Banana River. KSC Media Archive (direct photo link)

Web Links

• Bridge Hunter
• Bridge Inspection Report
• Federal Register

References