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.
Local fishing enthusiasts regularly gather at this bridge location, which earned recognition as a prime spot for catching various fish species.
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.
When the 1968 version was decommissioned, portions of its structure were converted into an artificial reef located about three miles offshore in Charlotte County waters. This underwater structure now serves as habitat for marine life.
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