Francis P. Whitehair Bridge

The Francis P. Whitehair Bridge is a road bridge that crosses the St. Johns River near Crows Bluff and features a double leaf bascule design. The movable structure lifts to allow boats to pass underneath.

The structure replaced an older swing span bridge from 1917 and opened in 1955. It was named after Francis P. Whitehair, a DeLand resident.

The structure represents mid-20th century American engineering practices and connects communities across the St. Johns River in central Florida.

The bridge carries State Road 44 traffic between two counties and has two lanes for through traffic. Drivers should be aware that the structure occasionally lifts for boat passage.

The bridge was originally designed to serve for several decades but was replaced by a new structure in 2023. This replacement was necessary to address growing traffic demands and structural concerns.

Location: Florida

Inception: September 1955

Official opening: September 1955

GPS coordinates: 29.00880,-81.38210

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21