Martín Peña Bridge, Road bridge and National Register of Historic Places site in Santurce, Puerto Rico.
The Martín Peña Bridge is an Art Deco road bridge that spans the Martín Peña Channel and connects several neighborhoods across San Juan. The structure runs along the Juan Ponce de León Avenue and Carretera Central, carrying vehicle traffic over the waterway.
The site began as a stone causeway in the 1500s, which was replaced by a brick bridge in 1784 as the city grew. Engineer Cecilio Delgado designed the current Art Deco structure in 1939, representing the modern transformation of the infrastructure.
The bridge takes its name from a fisherman whose livelihood depended on these waters, honoring the maritime traditions that shaped the area before urban growth. The structure itself marks a transition point where the city meets the waterway, visible in how traffic flows across it daily.
The bridge connects the districts of Santurce, Hato Rey Norte, and Hato Rey Central, making it a key traffic point in the city. The structure is primarily designed for vehicles, but pedestrians can also cross it during normal traffic hours.
The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, acknowledging its role in the city's development. This recognition shows that the infrastructure represents more than just a transportation link, embodying a key phase of urban growth.
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