Merrill Barber Bridge
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About the Merrill Barber Bridge
The bridge, originally a drawbridge, was first built in 1951 and replaced in 1995. The original connection to the barrier isalnd was a curved wooden structure built on cabbage palm pilings and opened in 1920.
The Merrill P. Barber Bridge is a concrete arch bridge that spans the Indian River Intracoastal Waterway in Indian River County, Florida. The bridge was built by Odebrecht Contractors of Florida, Inc. and was completed in 1995. A fishing pier is constructed below the bridge on the east side.
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.
The bridge has a total length of 3,834 feet (1,169 m) with a main span of 100 feet (30 m). The vertical clearance is 65 ft.
The Florida Department of Transportation number is 880087.
The bridge replaced the old Barber Bridge, built in 1951, which was concrete and had a steel bascule span. This bridge was in constant state of disrepair and was removed, barged out to sea and sunk to became a reef. The steel bascule span was purchased by Disney and is in Orlando at the Walt Disney World theme park.
