Mathers Bridge

Mathers Bridge is a road bridge made of steel and concrete that crosses the Banana River between Merritt Island and Indian Harbour Beach. The structure includes a rotating center section designed to allow boat traffic to pass through the waterway.

The structure was built in 1927 as a private toll crossing and operated under private ownership initially. In 1944, the Florida State Road Department took over management and converted it into public infrastructure.

The bridge serves as a daily crossing for residents connecting two communities across the river. It remains a functional part of local life, used regularly by people traveling between Merritt Island and the barrier island.

The bridge features a motorized rotating section that opens to let boats pass through the river. Visitors should expect occasional delays when boat traffic needs to cross.

The structure uses a Warren truss swing span design, a rare engineering solution from the early 1900s. This construction method is seldom seen in the region today and demonstrates historical bridge-building techniques.

Location: Florida

GPS coordinates: 28.14917,-80.60611

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:20