FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge

The FEC Strauss Trunnion Bascule Bridge is a railway bridge over the St. Johns River in Jacksonville with two tracks and a lifting steel deck. It uses truss beams and a specialized raising system that allows ships to pass underneath.

The bridge was built in 1925 to replace an older single-track swing bridge that had been operating since 1890. The new structure reflected advances in engineering designed to handle growing railroad and ship traffic.

The bridge shows design features from its construction period, with steel framework that reflects early 1900s building styles. Visitors can observe the visible technical details typical of engineering works from that era.

The bridge sits next to the Acosta Bridge and can be viewed from several vantage points along the riverbank. Plan your visit during the day when train movements and occasional lifting operations are easier to see.

The bridge uses a special trunnion bascule system where the deck pivots around a hinge point to lift. This design allows faster raising and lowering movements compared to older construction methods.

Location: Florida

Official opening: 1925

GPS coordinates: 30.32250,-81.66560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:52