Bridge of Lions Live Cam

History

The Bridge of Lions is a historic bridge located in St. Augustine, Florida, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway. The bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge, which means that it can be raised to allow tall boats to pass through.

The Bridge of Lions was built in 1927 and is named after the two marble lion statues that flank each end of the bridge. The lions were designed by the Italian sculptor Romanelli, and were a gift from Dr. Andrew Anderson, a prominent St. Augustine resident.

The bridge has a rich history and has been the subject of many preservation efforts over the years. In the early 1990s, the bridge was in need of extensive repairs, and it was temporarily closed to traffic. There was much debate about whether the bridge should be restored or replaced, but ultimately a restoration project was undertaken.

The restoration of the Bridge of Lions took several years and was completed in 2010. The project included repairing and replacing the structural components of the bridge, as well as restoring the decorative elements such as the lion statues and the medallions on the bridge's towers.

Today, the Bridge of Lions is a beloved landmark in St. Augustine and is an important part of the city's history and culture. It is a popular spot for tourists to visit and take photos, and it is also an important transportation route for residents and visitors alike.

Historical Facts

• The Bridge of Lions was designed by John Alexander Low Waddell, an American bridge engineer who also designed the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the Steel Arch Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri.
• The Bridge of Lions was originally built to replace a wooden bridge that had been built in the 1890s. The wooden bridge was inadequate for the increasing traffic in the area, and it was also prone to damage from storms and hurricanes.
• The construction of the Bridge of Lions was a major undertaking, and it required the relocation of many homes and businesses in the area. The bridge was also built with two lanes of traffic, a pedestrian walkway, and decorative features such as the lion statues and the medallions on the towers.
• The lions on the Bridge of Lions are made of Carrara marble, a type of white marble that is quarried in Italy. The lions were carved by the Italian sculptor Romanelli, and they were transported to St. Augustine by ship.
• The Bridge of Lions was dedicated on February 20, 1927, with a ceremony that included speeches, music, and a parade. The bridge was an instant landmark in St. Augustine and quickly became a popular tourist attraction.
• The Bridge of Lions was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The designation recognizes the bridge's importance as a historic and architectural landmark in St. Augustine and the United States.
• In addition to its role as a transportation route, the Bridge of Lions has also played a symbolic role in the history of St. Augustine. During World War II, the bridge was illuminated with red, white, and blue lights to show support for the troops, and it has been decorated with holiday lights and other festive displays over the years.

First Bridge

The Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida was not the first bridge to span the Matanzas River. The first bridge to cross the river was a wooden toll bridge that was completed in 1895. The bridge was built by the San Marco Investment Company and was known as the San Marco Avenue Bridge.

The San Marco Avenue Bridge was a narrow, single-lane bridge that was not well-suited to handle the increasing traffic in the area. In 1913, a severe storm caused significant damage to the bridge, and it was temporarily closed for repairs.

After the storm, there was discussion about replacing the San Marco Avenue Bridge with a new, more substantial bridge. In 1914, the Florida State Legislature passed a bill authorizing the construction of a new bridge across the Matanzas River.

The new bridge, which would become the Bridge of Lions, was designed by the renowned bridge engineer John Alexander Low Waddell. Waddell's design called for a double-leaf bascule bridge, which would allow boats to pass through the bridge without having to lower their masts.

Construction of the Bridge of Lions began in 1925 and was completed in 1927. The new bridge was a major improvement over the old San Marco Avenue Bridge and quickly became an important transportation route and a popular tourist attraction. Today, the Bridge of Lions is recognized as a significant historical and architectural landmark in St. Augustine and the United States.

Original Bridge of Lions

The original Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida was a double-leaf bascule bridge that was completed in 1927. The bridge was designed by the renowned bridge engineer John Alexander Low Waddell and was named for the two marble lion statues that flanked each end of the bridge. The lions were designed by the Italian sculptor Romanelli and were a gift from Dr. Andrew Anderson, a prominent St. Augustine resident.

The original Bridge of Lions was an important transportation route in St. Augustine, providing a connection between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. The bridge was also a popular tourist attraction and was frequently photographed by visitors to the city.

Over time, the original Bridge of Lions began to deteriorate and was in need of significant repairs. In the early 1990s, the bridge was temporarily closed to traffic so that engineers could assess the damage and develop a plan for repairs.

There was much debate about whether to restore the original Bridge of Lions or to replace it with a new bridge. Ultimately, a decision was made to restore the original bridge and to incorporate modern engineering techniques to make it safer and more reliable. The restoration of the original Bridge of Lions began in 2005 and was completed in 2010. The restoration included repairing and replacing the structural components of the bridge, as well as restoring the decorative elements such as the lion statues and the medallions on the bridge's towers.

Today, the original Bridge of Lions is a beloved landmark in St. Augustine and is an important part of the city's history and culture. The bridge is still an important transportation route and is also a popular spot for tourists to visit and take photos. The restoration of the original Bridge of Lions ensures that it will continue to be an important part of St. Augustine's heritage for generations to come.

Temporary bridge

During the restoration of the original Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida, a temporary bridge was built to maintain a connection between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.

The temporary bridge was constructed in 2006 and was located just south of the original bridge. It was a high-level, fixed-span bridge that consisted of steel girders and a concrete deck. The bridge was designed to handle the same amount of traffic as the original Bridge of Lions, with two lanes of traffic and a pedestrian walkway.

The construction of the temporary bridge was a complex engineering project that required careful planning and coordination. The bridge had to be designed and built to withstand hurricane-force winds and storm surge, which are common in the St. Augustine area.

The temporary bridge was in use for several years while the restoration of the original Bridge of Lions was underway. During this time, the temporary bridge became an important transportation route for local residents and visitors to the area.

In 2010, the restoration of the original Bridge of Lions was completed, and the temporary bridge was removed. The restoration project was a major achievement in historic preservation and engineering, and it ensured that the original Bridge of Lions will continue to be an important part of St. Augustine's history and culture for generations to come.

New Bridge of Lions

The New Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida, is a modern version of the original double-leaf bascule bridge that was designed by John Alexander Low Waddell and completed in 1927. The new bridge was built to replace the original bridge, which had deteriorated over time and was in need of significant repairs.

Construction of the new Bridge of Lions began in 2005 and was completed in 2010. The new bridge features a similar design to the original bridge, with two marble lion statues flanking each end of the bridge. However, the new bridge incorporates modern engineering techniques and materials to make it safer and more reliable than the original.

The new Bridge of Lions is a high-level, fixed-span bridge that consists of steel girders and a concrete deck. The bridge is designed to handle the same amount of traffic as the original bridge, with two lanes of traffic and a pedestrian walkway. The bridge also includes a fishing pier and a viewing platform that offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

One of the most significant improvements of the new Bridge of Lions is its ability to withstand hurricanes and storm surge. The bridge was designed to be able to withstand Category 3 hurricane-force winds and storm surge, which is critical in the St. Augustine area where hurricanes are a common occurrence.

The new Bridge of Lions is an important part of St. Augustine's transportation infrastructure, providing a vital connection between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. The bridge is also a popular tourist attraction and a significant part of the city's history and culture. In summary, the new Bridge of Lions is a modern version of the original double-leaf bascule bridge, featuring a similar design but incorporating modern engineering techniques and materials to make it safer and more reliable. The new bridge is an important part of St. Augustine's transportation infrastructure and an iconic landmark in the city.