Matlacha Bridge, Bascule road bridge in Lee County, Florida.
Matlacha Bridge is a bascule road bridge in Lee County, Florida, connecting Pine Island with Cape Coral. It operates with a single-leaf mechanical structure that raises to allow water traffic to pass underneath.
The original bridge was built in 1927 using a wooden swing span structure relocated from Alva Bridge. It was replaced in 1968 and again in 2012 to meet modern transportation demands.
The 1968 concrete bascule bridge became a popular fishing spot for local residents, who nicknamed it "The fishingest bridge in the world". That nickname is the bridge's main local claim to fame, tied to the span that stood from 1968 until 2012.
This is the only vehicular route connecting mainland Florida to Pine Island and carries State Road 78 traffic. Expect occasional delays when the mechanical span raises for larger boats.
The 1968 Matlacha Pass Bridge was demolished after the current span opened on November 18, 2012, and its remains were sunk as an artificial reef at Novak's reef, about 3 miles off Charlotte County. Divers and anglers now find the old bridge structure underwater rather than over Matlacha Pass.
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