Why Florida's Overseas Highway Turned From Dream to Disaster

Рет қаралды 1,947,408

Күн бұрын

The Florida Keys have the Seven Mile Bridge, a part of the 110-mile long Ocean Highway that connects the remote Keys to the mainland. On this drive, you will travel over a truly incredible feat of engineering that, at one point, was the longest continuous concrete bridge in the world. This Bridge has been through a lot. The original bridge, or what the locals like to call the “Old Seven,” consisted of precast concrete and steel girders that enabled it to be constructed within marshland and the sea. However, a series of hurricanes, storms, and saltwater led to its destruction, thus necessitating certain repairs. For this reason, a new and modern bridge had to be constructed to weather the previous engineering faults and meet the increasing vehicular needs of the Keys. Its construction was described as an engineering milestone that has encouraged bridge-building.
Chapters:
00:00 The History of the 7-mile bridge
00:39 The history of the Florida Keys
02:52 Who envisioned the 7-mile bridge?
03:59 The plan to bring trains into Key West
04:27 The Construction of the 7-mile bridge
05:30 How the 7-mile bridge was destroyed by hurricanes
07:01 Rebuilding the 7-mile bridge for cars
11:12 The restoration process of the Old Seven Mile bridge.
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Пікірлер: 955

@CasperFLSTC Жыл бұрын

The swing bridge was still in service WELL after Hurricane Donna. I was in the Navy stationed in Key West from 1980 - 1984. I passed over that swing bridge on the way down. The swing bridge was destroyed in Mar of 1981 when a semi truck carrying a backhoe collided with the underslung propane tank of the bridge tenders shack. For the better part of a month the Keys to the west of the swing bridge were isolated from all vehicle traffic. It was a very interesting time. The new bridge in all of its luxurious space for two lanes each way and SHOLDERS was opened in 1982 as a result of that accident.

@russellbickel8802 Жыл бұрын

I was going to comment the same thing. I lived in marathon from 78 to 95.

@Matt_from_Florida Жыл бұрын

I commented essentially the same elsewhere. 09:51 The old Moser Channel swing-span was demolished after Hurricane Donna in 1960 (you say)? No. It survived until a fiery accident occurred in 1981 which killed the bridge tender, Peter C. Fancher. There is an inset metal plaque commemorating that event at the highest point of the current Seven Mile Bridge as it goes over The Moser Channel. The old swing-span's mechanical-mechanisms were never repaired (after the 1981 accident) and thus it remained permanently in its closed position (allowing vehicular traffic) until it was removed following the opening of the new 7-mile bridge in 1982.

@KeyWestChrisRehm Жыл бұрын

@@Matt_from_Florida I don't know if it's folklore or not, but I understood that it was also the last day of the bridge tender, prior to retirement. On a related note, while on vacation in 2016 in St. Thomas, I was at a wine tasting and I met a woman from Georgia, who when she heard I was from Key West told me of her high school graduation trip she and her classmates took to Key West. She complained of her trip back and the long and massive delay on the Seven Mile Bridge due to a fire in the swing bridge! Naturally, I filled her in on the tragedy and what a historic event it had been. She had no idea all these years!

@Matt_from_Florida Жыл бұрын

@@KeyWestChrisRehm Peter C. Fancher, born Feb 4, 1942, died March 2, 1981. Anything's possible, but he wasn't even 40 years old. An aqueduct truck transporting a back hoe on the bed passed under the tender's booth and smashed into the propane tank which supplied the ICE (internal combustion engine) which powered the swing bridge. The bridge tender was burned alive inside his wooden control room. At 7:25 on the right-hand side you can see the steps he would have walked up to get to the control room. 9:51 shows the tender's control-room way back when it was still a railroad bridge (1912-1935), but you can find pictures on the internet of the control-room in later years.

@robthetimekeeper2423 Жыл бұрын

2 lanes each way is Bahia Honda not 7 mile bridge.

@davidbreen4727 Жыл бұрын

i drove to Key West from Daytona in the mid 80's it was really neat seeing the little keys on the way there. it was kind of scary driving over open water. but now Key West has grown so big with the hotels, they really destroyed a beautiful place.

@SMac-bq8sk Жыл бұрын

I also drove to Key West from the mainland a couple of times in the mid 80s. The ambience was still somewhat quaint back then. Now, it's just another commercialized tourist town. Hope those little keys haven't changed too much.

@falcoperegrinus82 Жыл бұрын

Destroying once beautiful places... yeah, they're really good at doing that in FL.

@SMac-bq8sk Жыл бұрын

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274: Ah, so you got to travel across the OLD bridge...nice!👍

@8corymix8 Жыл бұрын

The Key's are my most favorite place to visit. Don't be to critical, Key West is busy but still cool. We stay in Marathon. Plenty to do/see with less people. It's still a paradise & better than vacationing in a 3rd world Country.

@davidbreen4727 Жыл бұрын

@@8corymix8 all i can do is take your word. the smaller key islands are still cool. how about Islemarada, i don't know how to spell, but that key was pretty relaxing back when.

@djxcel23 Жыл бұрын

That salt water is always gonna be a issue

@Xotics Жыл бұрын

We should just replace all the salt water in the Gulf with fresh water, problem solved

@ssanc6 Жыл бұрын

@@Xotics let's replace the ocean with a fresh water lake

@user-mn5zg4bi8h Жыл бұрын

Yeah

@juanhartley4897 Жыл бұрын

Hahahah facts

@deicide666100 Жыл бұрын

There are other bridges that are above salt water , just saying

@freetolook3727 Жыл бұрын

I drove across the old Seven-Mile bridge back in the 1970's. Let's just say that you were up close and personal with nature driving on that bridge!

@jamesbowen2105 Жыл бұрын

You know it's not the same anymore! I was there frequently in those days...I still fantasize about those days!

@theyangview1898 Жыл бұрын

I rode across the 7mile in a tiny sports car (I was hitchhiking) and we got sideswiped by a 18 wheeler tractor rig. Quite the experience

@jedisdad2265 Жыл бұрын

My family made many trips for Ft. Lauderdale to Key West in the 1979’s

@gravelydon7072 Жыл бұрын

@@theyangview1898 That was so common that at one point traffic for semis was one way only at certain times.

@MrGbustamante 2 ай бұрын

I took several trips on the old bridge as a kid. I still recall the terror. Parenting was different. We had scorching hot vinyl seats that would fry eggs, no ac, no seat belts. Babys sat in Moms lap. Semis would pass by in the opposite direction and every time we didnt get blown off the bridge and into the Gulf was a miracle. I wont even fish on that bridge.

@n7565j Жыл бұрын

Being an 7th generation Floridian, my grandfather told me about riding around during the eye of a hurricane back in the 30's as they didn't know about the eye and since the sun was shining and the winds were calm, they thought the worst was over... Imagine their surprise when 45 minutes later the bottom fell out and all heck broke loose... Again!!! Wonderful episode sir 🙂

@RobSchellinger Жыл бұрын

I was in Lakeland for Irma. That was a loud storm and suddenly it was dead quiet. Could you imagine the older homes and cracker houses with little to no insulation between you and the noise? I also made it through Frances, Jean, and Charlie in '04.

@elizabethwitt2621 2 ай бұрын

04 was quite the year in South Florida. Remember it all too well.

@amblincork Ай бұрын

How could your grandfathers generation not know about the eye of the storm ?

@blue_lancer_es Ай бұрын

@@amblincorkit was the 30s. Hurricanes had barely any warnings. Radar wasn't even used for weather well after ww2. So not much info in that era.

@amblincork Ай бұрын

@@blue_lancer_es But surely simple observations for hundreds of years would have made people realise there was a period of calm before the storm started again ?

@herbvanderven5154 Жыл бұрын

Born 1953 in Key West and moved to Miami as a young child, I've made many trips to the Keys and love them. The old narrow bridge kind of added a death-defying thrill of adventure to the trip. Haha!

@SMac-bq8sk Жыл бұрын

You old Conch! Cheers!😄

@mikesullivan2075 Жыл бұрын

It sure did

@76reliant Жыл бұрын

Did any cars end up going into the water, trying to cross the bridge?

@koosmal Жыл бұрын

'Patience Pays' remember the rectangular signs to deter passing. Really scared me as a kid, dad driving. A wreck would tie up traffic for miles.

@herbvanderven5154 Жыл бұрын

@@koosmal yeah, I've spent some time in those long lines after a traffic accident. If you were on one of the bridges there was nothing to do but wait it out.

@cofoothills Жыл бұрын

the "bump-bump-bump" of driving over the seams of that bridge was hypnotic!

@Scoutt236 Жыл бұрын

Local Keys resident, born in raised in Marathon, 3rd generation. Love the video! Thanks for sharing the history of our little islands. The 7-mile bridge restoration recently completed earlier this year; from Marathon to Pigeon Key. Unfortunately the remaining section and old Bahia Honda bridge is still in great disrepair.

@debrahelmlinger6256 Жыл бұрын

My family lived in the Keys from 1949 until 2003 when the last Helmlinger left the Keys. I used to visit so often from Broward County, the locals thought I was a local

@parkerb4449 Жыл бұрын

Son of two marathon natives here! My uncle runs the Royal Furniture store there :)

@kujodriptaro3560 Жыл бұрын

Keys stay winning over mainland. I live in Tavernier

@RalseiGaming Жыл бұрын

from big pine key here

@raydude9208 Жыл бұрын

Please let it go, that old bridge did its job for almost 100 years! Throwing more money at a dead bridge will never bring it back to life? Time to move on.

@Joe-lq6xy Жыл бұрын

In 1976 We left Indiana and drove to the Keys in a VW bug, I was 12 years old went with my Uncle his wife and son, I had $3 for the trip. They have passed away but I still remember it to his day.........

@ButterfatFarms 2 ай бұрын

Good God that sounds awful in a VW Bug it's Florida you need air conditioning!

@WanderedOff Жыл бұрын

FYI… the old seven mile bridge renovation was completed in January. I’ve walked it a few times. It’s a beautiful walk!

@WanderedOff Жыл бұрын

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 the old Seven Mile bridge that was renovated is now walkable from Marathon to Pigeon Key. I see a lot of cyclists crossing all the bridges to Key West.

@westownsend8228 Жыл бұрын

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 it's not exactly the safest of rides. The old bridge stops at pigeon, so without ET on board you'll have to take the main bridge which is still kinda narrow and cars are regularly doing 60+

@Matt_from_Florida Жыл бұрын

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 So far only the section North of Pigeon Key has been renovated. The rest will also be renovated but as far as I know there is *no plan to construct any structure at all over The Moser Channel.* So unless you feel like taking a swim there is no way to go completely across the old bridge.

@westownsend8228 Жыл бұрын

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 I passed through Moser a month ago and there wasn't any evidence of connecting the bridge. Don't wanna speak absolutely since I haven't seen it in a month, but I think the renovation is only the marathon to pigeon section

@hellaacapella Жыл бұрын

Last time I was in the keys around 2016, my buddy hit 134 mph in a mustang on that bridge… let me tell you it was absolutely wild with the top down!

@jryer1 Жыл бұрын

I drove the old bridge before it was closed. It was so tight, there were times you could reach out touch the car driving by in the other direction. When delivery trucks came by, you had to pay very close attention as there was no room for error.

@grey6703 Жыл бұрын

i saw it and it looked so tight like only one car could go at a time any one way! it’s wild that two could actually fit

@jski7355 Жыл бұрын

Long ,long time military ,worker , visitor ,guest/family , tourist .My love for this section of the world is unconditional . Started in 1965 , Nearly 60 years .Easy to become enamored with this archipelago .Although it has become so very popular as a tourist destination that has underscored the true wonderful character of the Keys that tourist won't ever see let alone appreciate .Sad .The wonderful ,helpful ,hard working , resilient " True " Conchs " that have called this place home for decades after decades are the real beauty of these islands . Tourist can be so rude , cruel , disrespectful , damaging slobs that tarnish everything they touch is so disheartening for various reasons .It only takes those few to tarnish the majority of visitors that do appreciate the entire beauty of the culture natural wonders , uniqueness , frailties of nature that exist there .

@dianewhite1819 Жыл бұрын

My ex husband was stationed at NAS Key West in 1971 part of 1972 . On the trip down the keys, we were pulling a trailer with our VW & the engine blew & at the time we had everything we owned in that trailer plus our 1 yr. old son with us & it was late at night, very late . A truck driver came along & we locked up our car & the trailer & he gave us a ride into Key West & dropped us off at the Holiday Inn & my husband called his ship, The Howard Gilmore, the next day & the Captain sent 3 sailors that worked in the computer department where my husband was to work & they took him back to tow our car & retrieve our belongings!! What a way to start out at a new naval station huh ??? And yes, that 2 lane bridge in a large truck was VERY NARROW!!!! Thanks for listening to my story !!!

@HarryFlashmanVC Жыл бұрын

Lol.. thats about as wide as 90% of roads over here in Britain.

@74bshs Жыл бұрын

I did, too, three times in the late 70's. Quite an experience.

@007stopjockin Жыл бұрын

Been in Florida since 1986 since my 1st duty station in Panama City Beach. It's completely overrun, overdeveloped, and ruined now. It used to be pristine, beautiful, and affordable. I get so sad thinking back to the old days when I first moved to Florida. Those of you who never experienced old Florida, you don't know what you missed. It truly was special. 007

@pamelamurray4741 Жыл бұрын

I currently live on Panama City Beach. I was just having that conversation with a customer yesterday. He was telling me about this area in the 60's. I remember it from the 80's. Today it's so over developed it's not desirable anymore.

@PatHouseworth Жыл бұрын

Grew up in Venice on the Gulf from 1953-63...sad to see what it has become, the Keys are even worse, because of the traffic and developers...Paradise Lost!

@gravelydon7072 Жыл бұрын

Been here since 1962 ( 2 weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis ) . We made infrequent trips to Key West until after Hurricane Andrew when the hospital at HAFB was closed. That meant dad had two choices for getting his medications from the government. Patrick AFB or Key West. After only a few trips to Patrick, we switched to Key West. Made dad happier too as he was a Master Chief and was well treated by those at Key West. A lot has changed since we got here almost 60 years ago.

@crystallaws7050 Жыл бұрын

Still searching for"old Florida" I grew up here during the late '60s through the 80s and then moved away; recently returning. There's very little old Florida left

@sconrey7 Жыл бұрын

thank the millions of realtors and land developers. all for the greeeeeed. its the american dream!

@matthewwurtzel322 Жыл бұрын

When I visited the Keys in 2003, I had no idea you could visit the old bridge. Now I want to go back and check out the Pidgeon Key and the old bridge.

@drdrew3 9 күн бұрын

Now the old bridge is full of fisherman, runners and cyclists. It’s a very unique structure with water views that don’t exist anywhere else in the US.

@frequentlycynical642 Жыл бұрын

My family lived on Long Island when and where I grew up in the 1950's. Mom and Dad decided we should spend February in Florida, towing a tiny house trailer behind our 1949 Studebaker Champion. Sixty horsepower, three on the column. Max speed, I think, 45mph. Anyway, I remember driving to Key West. Mom and Dad explaining the history of the bridges we drove on. We wound up moving to Sarasota, FL in 1959. I'm pretty sure I never went back to Key West after that early visit.

@songweaver6076 Жыл бұрын

wow NY to to the Key's in the 50's???? wow!!!! Taking all 'local' roads down as interstates weren't finished yet...

@victorringe9404 Жыл бұрын

Three speed with overdrive, flat head six.

@frequentlycynical642 Жыл бұрын

@@victorringe9404 Definitely no overdrive.

@frequentlycynical642 Жыл бұрын

@@songweaver6076 Yup. The major nortn-south highway was US301. We would pick that up at Baltimore, the northern terminus. Leave it at some point in Florida to use US 1 and other highways. The southern terminus of 301 is Sarasota, on the west coast. That intersection is a couple of blocks from my old high school.

@Texassince1836 Жыл бұрын

@@frequentlycynical642 overdrive was pretty common on Studebakers, and offered by all the major US auto manufacturers at some point. It was bolted to the back of the 3 on the tree transmission, and cut in automatically. Ive got one im rebuilding right not.

@seaboard18 Жыл бұрын

Hi, I am going to be "That Guy"; -Seven Mile Bridge was completed in 1912, not 1916. There are photographs of the first train led by one of the road's 4-4-2 types carrying Flagler behind it readily available through Google to prove this. The temporary trestle and depot building at Knight's Key had been established by then to serve trains prior to the extension's completion. -There are negatives shown of Bahia-Honda while talking about.. Seven Mile? -The road was the "Florida East Coast", not the "Flagler Railway" -The 1935 storm only caused severe damage to specific portions of the route. Seven Mile Bridge was comparatively unscathed and required little (if any) repairs. The Mozer Channel swing bridge was still in service WELL beyond the initial destruction of the railroad There a number of stock images of locomotives, equipment, and other bridges that have little to do with Seven Mile and the Key West Extension..

@marcusfieldfield4069 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all that information " that guy "😂

@DemPilafian Жыл бұрын

Maybe the other videos on this channel are better, but this particular video felt like it was produced by a low-cost content mill.

@PinkAgaricus Жыл бұрын

Also, now that Hurricane Ian has passed, I feel like that last section about restoration was spoken too soon because of the aforementioned hurricane 2-3 months later which destroyed a lot of lower Florida. As usual the Keys and this road is probably hit the hardest since it was the first thing the hurricane crossed before hitting Fort Myers Beach. The destruction is still being covered.

@dwellspompano 2 ай бұрын

When the video is talking about Marathon the picture shown of the little shack selling Bollos is located on Key West next to the Aquarium. 🙄

@gaffnaldo1 Ай бұрын

@@DemPilafian I was thinking the same, seemed very AI orientated

@garyjones2582 Жыл бұрын

I took that bridge to the keys with my cousin just a few days before I went into the military.. October 1970.. What a gorgeous trip.. Thx Ryan for taking us along for the history lesson..

@yoshit9819 Жыл бұрын

Living in Miami all my life. Im 59, And that drive never gets old.

@007stopjockin Жыл бұрын

TRUTH! So AMAZING! 007

@jlc5639 Жыл бұрын

@@007stopjockin :)

@KeyWestChrisRehm Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this piece. Thank you. It should be stated that there are actually, forty-five bridges in the Florida Keys. Naturally, as it was known as The Eighth Wonder of the World when it was built, the Seven Mile Bridge is the most famous. A lot of the pictures shown in your video as the Seven Mile Bridge, were actually the Bahia Honda Bridge. This is the only bridge that utilized a full superstructure from the railroad, and the passenger car bridge was built on top of said superstructure.

@gravelydon7072 Жыл бұрын

Interesting thing about that bridge was when it was converted, they jacked up some of the girder sections to tie the top of the truss bridge to the land for the road.

@chrisSVT Жыл бұрын

Hey bud!! I hope you are doing well! I'll reach out when I come to visit! Miss you and Dani!

@KhaleesiStJames Ай бұрын

43 bridges!

@alphaod Жыл бұрын

I just drove down the Keys a month ago and it's fascinating to watch a video about the older bridges because the entire way our family was wondering about the history of it all. Awesome video.

@funkingfuss9724 Жыл бұрын

I was in College in Miami from '74 to '78 and my Room mate was from Key West. What a Wild Ride on the old 7 mile bridge. Semi truck doing 60 passing with just inches to spare! No such thing as stopping cause you have a flat tire, ride the rims Dude. And yes the guard rails were rail road Rails. And Seat Belts OMG No Way! If we go over I Didn't want to be locked in as we went down. LOL But we were seldom sober so it didn't matter. Thanks for bringing back some awesome memories. Can't believe we survived to become "Productive Citizens".

@sarahdeshay1394 Жыл бұрын

I have spent many days as well as nights fishing from the old bridges. My favorite was the long key bridge on the ocean side of the new highway. We would walk about a mile out and set up tents, cook stoves, water cooler, as well as water to wash with, and lanterns and fishing gear. Those were enjoyable camping outings and I would recommend others to do the same.

@tazmod7272 Жыл бұрын

As a kid I lived in Key West (1957-58). I remember going over the 7 mile bridge. In the 1990’s my wife and I visited Key West by driving. So we traveled on the newer 7 mile bridge. I found the house I lived in and the elementary school I went to.

@jasonlacroix6083 Жыл бұрын

I've been in Florida since 1970. I bet KW was something spe oak back in the 50's. As a 6 year old in 1970, my older brother and I could feed our family several days a week catching stone crabs, blue crabs, sheepshead, redfish, mackerel, flounder, etc.. We lived right on the beach at Johns pass on treasure Island.

@tazmod7272 Жыл бұрын

@@jasonlacroix6083 : The neighbor across the street had a shrimp fleet. We would always get fresh shrimp and fish that was caught. He was the only one, I think, other than the Navy base, now gone, that had an above ground swimming pool. Us kids were always playing in it. We rode our bikes everywhere. However, we weren’t allowed downtown without parents. We would catch conch, back when it was legal. Another neighbor knew how to cook it. Had great fun and a lot of good memories.

@jasonlacroix6083 Жыл бұрын

@@tazmod7272 I feel for the kids today that are kept on a leash. At 6 and 7 years old, my brother and I were all over the fishing village we lived in. We would help the party boats load up ice, bait, etc., in exchange for some cheese crackers and a Yoo-Hoo. We'd help the teens on the beach that rented cabanas for the same deal. Be well!

@tazmod7272 Жыл бұрын

@@jasonlacroix6083 : We use to deliver newspapers. Learned how to fold them. When I live in Michigan we would shovel off driveways and walks. We would even chip the ice away. We would ride our bikes looking for pop and beer bottles along the country roads. $0.02 a bottle back then. We had to be home by dinner time.

@kvom01 Жыл бұрын

I drove from Miami in 1970 in a car owned by a friend of my mother. Going in the afternoon was a big mistake as the sun was in my eyes the entire time. With the narrow roadway, it wasn't a fun drive. As a kid in the late 50s and 60s, we drove several times. Key West was a very calm place back then.

@grantdubridge7995 Жыл бұрын

I think it is great that the old bridge is still standing there and made into a walkway and fishing dock.

@thomasfreeman7770 Жыл бұрын

I can remember driving over the old bridge’s prior to the early 80s. It was narrow indeed. The railway track guardrail can still be seen today on the original structure. If you look close at the steel bridge sections you can see the original 18” water main that transferred water from Florida city on the mainland to key west. The pipe line has since been upsized with the new construction but the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority still operates several pump stations along the way to move the water along. This would be a good topic for another segment for this channel. The line was originally built to supply military facilities at key west.

@boogiedownforever Жыл бұрын

I just love the Florida Keys. I have been going down there to winter a few months every winter. It is a shame to see how much it has been over developed and a playground for the rich. Locals are being pushed out by the rich and now the rich have no one to serve them food or make them drinks and the restaurants are closed two or three days a week to give staff a break

@AIDAHAR210 Жыл бұрын

I wonder what would happen if all service industries and medical service left the keys for the mainland since none of them can afford to live there

@boogiedownforever Жыл бұрын

@@AIDAHAR210 well that is kind of happening now and that is why they are in a rush to build affordable housing

@mE-zx7pt Жыл бұрын

@@boogiedownforever I haven't heard of any rush to build affordable housing.

@boogiedownforever Жыл бұрын

@@mE-zx7pt well I guess I shall rephrase.....they are in lots of meetings talking about building some. they did a good job recently at the quarry on big cockpit key

@samuelmontero6426 Жыл бұрын

The exact same thing is happening in West Palm Beach.

@chuckaddison5134 Жыл бұрын

I was born in Homestead, FL. Crossed that old bridge many times before we moved. There used to be two rails sticking up out of the water from Flaglers railroad.

@gravelydon7072 Жыл бұрын

Been living here in Homestead for almost 60 years. At one point, we owned the NW corner home in Homestead.

@MadDog6945 Жыл бұрын

I’ve lived in Florida all my life, which happens to be 52 years. In that time, I’ve only been down to the keys by car once. It was in the early 1980s and my parents drove both me and my brother over the old 7 mile bridge. I remember it being rickety, narrow, and scary as hell. We drove all the way to Marathon where we stayed for a few days and did some fishing. Later we drove further to Key West. Back then, it was not built up or heavily populated and most of the tourists were bikers and other local families who are there to fish and enjoy the pristine water. I haven’t been back in over 40 years even though I still live in Florida because I know that the keys are like a congested stuffed up nose. They are full of mucus and phlegm brought on by developers and tourists who have ruined a beautiful part of our country.

@MichaelJordan-uo2ke Жыл бұрын

I am keys resident key largo. Part of problem is that developers are giving priority to rich people. After hurricaine Irma, business had issues getting workers. Why their places were distroyed. Government people said there wasnt much room to build places for workers in Keys. Yet they built new places that catered to rich. Same time I recall there being a job fair in southern Miami in Palmetto. They were talking about busing people from there to key west. Thats solid 6 hours round trip commute per day. WTF That said, I do like Key Largo, there still is community spirit there.

@8corymix8 Жыл бұрын

That's not at all correct. I'm from Michigan & we travel to the Key's almost every year. Amazing place to visit. Surprising comment from someone who lived in Florida his whole life. Where would you rather go, trash Miami? Lol

@8corymix8 Жыл бұрын

@@MichaelJordan-uo2ke his comment is ridiculous. The Keys are beautiful from Key Largo, down to Key West. It's a beautiful place to visit & I'm sure to live.

@MadDog6945 Жыл бұрын

@@8corymix8 Sure, Buddy. You're the expert.

@gravelydon7072 Жыл бұрын

@@MichaelJordan-uo2ke Buses run all the time from Homestead to the Keys.

@berated4541 Жыл бұрын

Great video. My mom actually grew up on Pigeon Key and lives in Marathon now. We used to visit every summer as my grandmother has lived in Marathon ever since they moved from Pigeon Key. They were the last family to live on the island before it was taken over by the state as historical landmark. They housed marine biology students from the mainland universities so that they could study the marine life. Seeing some of the old pictures you have in this video remind me of all the pictures my grandma used to show me. Such rich history!

@aroukar47 Жыл бұрын

What happened to the family home on Pigeon Key? I imagine it was demolished or whatever, but I'd still like to hear about it.

@berated4541 Жыл бұрын

@@aroukar47 The house my mom’s family lived in is still there. Since the state declared it a historical landmark while they were still living on the island it has remained mostly intact from what my mom can recall. Minus the tourist stuff.

@BrandonJXN2 Жыл бұрын

This channel always has stories you never knew you wanted to hear about.

@stephenmoerlein8470 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting. Driving the Keys is now on my bucket list!

@marknesselhaus4376 Жыл бұрын

Boy that takes me back to my childhood back in the late 50's and 60's. I lived in Hialeah and still remember a few car trips over the old bridge and it was scary to me as a child. I moved away in the 90's but might someday take a trip to the keys once again someday. Thanks for this video history🙂

@wayneanderson8034 Жыл бұрын

I drove to Key West in October & it was like driving off the end of the Earth. It was an other worldly experience. I drove OTR & have been just about everywhere in the lower 48. There is nothing like the drive from Homestead to Key West, definitely should be a bucket list for travelers.

@danmoriarty6901 Жыл бұрын

Florida resident here. Amazing video. One thing you forgot to mention was the traffic. A few months ago going from Marathon to Homestead took us 6 hours. 90% of it is only one lane in each direction

@seanchesal5676 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Fun fact, a portion of the old bridge was featured at the end of the film "True Lies," you can still tell which portions were blown up for the sequence when driving by it to this day

@dsolosan Ай бұрын

Fun fact: the bridge that was blown up for the movie was a miniature, not the real, old bridge.

@nickicouture7297 Жыл бұрын

Oh yay!! I’m especially excited for this video. My parents recently moved to Marathon and I’ve gotten enmeshed in the history of the area. Key west is so beautiful and it’s crazy to me how OLD it is !

@KabukeeJo Жыл бұрын

One of my most amazing driving experiences was driving the entire length of that bridge back in 2004.

@Arltratlo Жыл бұрын

i drove the Storebæltsbroen and the Øresundsbroen twice on a single day...

@donnafrflorida56 Жыл бұрын

I did it on a 1200 Harley davidson

@debrahelmlinger6256 Жыл бұрын

My family moved from New Jersey to Marathon in 1949. My Grandfather Bud Helmlinger was a carpenter and built many buildings in around Marathon. He also built the Honeymoon cottage on Pidegen Key so exact to the other buildings that it was allowed to remain while additions he put on some of the other buildings had to be torn off once the island recieved historical status. Spent many summers camping on Long Key and visited so often from Broward County that the locals thought I was a local🤣 last of the family left in 2003 and I haven't been since 2013, but we are all returning this year as my neice is getting married in Key West🤗

@S.E.C-R Жыл бұрын

This type of construction still just blows my mind that something like this could be done back in the early 1900’s with nearly zero technology and everything was done manually!

@dennisadorno6721 Жыл бұрын

I have been to FL many time, but a few years ago we took a family trip from NY to The Keys...Loved it, want to do it again.

@michaelsmiley15 Жыл бұрын

The issue with Florida's overseas highway is very simple It started out as a railroad bridge for a freight that could be shipped all the way down to key West it was not intended for motor vehicles and when they decommissioned the rail line they simply riped up all the tracks and put concrete down and they thought that it would continue to live out its use as an overseas highway and when they started having structural failures they realized that building brand new freeway all the way down to key West was the only solution There were a lot of engineering mistakes that went into trying to convert the old railroad grade into a freeway the primary being that it was not designed to handle the climate of Southern Florida as well as all of the weather anomalies of Southern Florida hurricanes and such the new freeway structure with the built slightly lower to the water and it would be designed to withstand the winds and the salt water and so forth

@prestonrobert2625 Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@jamessimms415 Жыл бұрын

Yea but you have to remember vehicles were much smaller then. Even so, the old bridge was still narrow. Even so, the railroad would have been doomed when ships became more efficient & bypassed Key West.

@MervynPartin Жыл бұрын

This video was fascinating. I knew some of the history but I have now learned even more- thank you. We once had a 2 week vacation with 1 week in Miami and the 2nd week in Islamorada. We wish that we had spent both weeks on the Keys- they were wonderful and better than Miami. A hoped-for return did not happen because of hurricane damage, regrettably. During our visit, we walked over the old Seven Mile Bridge and loved it. Fish were clearly visible in the waters below and pelicans flew alongside us. We were surprised to see the road sign warning of ice, but even Florida gets frost occasionally.

@ericschneider8524 3 ай бұрын

I had a work buddy that went from Fort Myers to the keys for a vacation in the 80s. I heard that he got keys disease and never came back.

@MervynPartin 3 ай бұрын

@@ericschneider8524I can understand and envy him!

@ERSwanger 11 ай бұрын

This was really interesting, thank you for doing it!

@lynneslade513 Жыл бұрын

When I was a kid we lived in the North Bay Area and our parents during the summer loved to take us into San Francisco on the weekends. It was so exciting to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge but no place to pull over if you have a flat tire or other emergency. Glad the newer bridges they think about that now.

@FloridaManMatty Жыл бұрын

You really need to do a deep dive on Henry Flagler. He is still an unbelievably prominent figure in my hometown (St. Augustine, Florida - The Nation’s Oldest City). I was born in Flagler Hospital and currently live less than a mile from Flagler College. St. Augustine is in St. Johns County, immediately north of Flagler County. Flagler College is housed in one of his original hotels and is just up the street (King Street) from the old Florida East Coast Railroad HQ. Flagler’s fingerprints are all over this humble little town. We likely never would have been much more than a quaint drinking village with a fishing problem without his investment and vision.

@thorrollosson Жыл бұрын

Interesting stuff! I visited there when I was about ten or so, and we visited the San Marcos fort. Really cool history abounds down there for sure.

@FloridaManMatty Жыл бұрын

@@thorrollosson Castillo de San Marcos! Locals call it “The Old Fort”. It’s a beautiful structure. My father helped build the defensive wall that’s on the grounds from the fort to the City Gates just across the street near St. George Street when he worked for the NPS. This town is positively crawling with history. Apart from being home, it’s just a beautiful place.

@OrloxPhoenix Жыл бұрын

I wasn't sure if i was watching history, but the intro made it clear. 10/10 would learn again 👍🏼

@roberthepburn7461 Жыл бұрын

My last duty station was Marine Barracks U.S.Naval Air Station key West FL it was nice since I grew up in gibsonton FL I had driven across the 7mi bridge many times in a semi truck and back then when two semi's met on the bridge you had to pull your driver's side mirror in or you would have to replace them in Miami when you returned,the new bridge was a big improvement

@winterwatson6811 Жыл бұрын

i know no one is taking about brightline service to key west and i can’t imagine there’s a business case, but i would pay good money for a window seat on an overseas train

@JUNKERS488 Жыл бұрын

Hi, Thank you for doing such a great and accurate job on this video. I am a 5th. generation Conch. I remember growing up going over the old 7 mile bridge with my uncle and grandfather towing a trailer with my uncles Stock car or his race boat for races in Miami. Not only was the old bridge very narrow but back then all the cars were much wider too. You would almost have to pull against the side and stop if a Semi or other type of large truck was going by in the opposite lane.

@Breezybree63 Жыл бұрын

. I lived in Big Pine and worked in Marathon. I loved driving the old 7 mile bridge and watching the new bridges being built was amazing ( and aggravating at the same time). I miss living in the Keys…..

@MikeBaxterABC Ай бұрын

Great Video!!! .. I did not know many of the interesting facts!! .. My Father (rip) spent a great deal of time in the Keys back in the 1950's :)

@german-engineering1963 Жыл бұрын

I visited all the lower keys every 4-5 years since 1990s, and every time I visited there, the environment changed drastically. Somehow the keys do not hold their charm and mystical paradise of Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" any longer. Nowaday, RV trailer parks are everywhere, and tourist traffic on every weekend clogged US-1 all the way from Key West to Miami. Road rages and angry "Salt Life" fishermen towing their huge watercrafts just make the driving an awful experience. Unlike the old days, when the driving experience was so relaxful across that narrow strip of land next to the mangroves, feeling as though you were Jesus Christ driving across the water in your favorite VW Beetle convertible, now you can't see any water at all except for water parks, hotels, plazas, new multi-million dollar mansions, shops and restaurants. I really missed the days of old Florida and Keys.

@1glopz Жыл бұрын

you just need to know when the peak traffic hours and days are I live in Miami and we frequently drive down to isla morada for a wonderful dinner watching the sunset best luck my friend

@nthgth Жыл бұрын

I went there a few years ago. It was very relaxing and we had a great time relaxing and hanging out in Key West. The drive was fine both ways, too. I'm sorry you're unable to enjoy it 🤷🏻‍♂️

@kingboagart899 Жыл бұрын

I used to go to Saigon in the 60's and it was a nice place to relax after a couple of months in the swamps. Hardly any traffic and lot's of familiar faces about.. Now it's just like everywhere else in the world. Those were the good old days.

@jski7355 Жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more . Most first time visitors see the modern version of the Keys .Most true Conchs have passed on or been displaced because they can't afford to live there .To meet a true Conch that has seen the change over the decades is very rare .

@discipleoftheLordJesusChrist Жыл бұрын

it is not a convenient thing to take the name of the Lord in vain. You should *repent.*

@mikesullivan2075 Жыл бұрын

I have been going to the keys since 76 we traveled over the old bahia Honda bridge. That was scarry. Built a house on ramrod key 27 mm jamaica lane. The new 7 mile bridge was built because a car and a fuel hauler met under the old turnstile killing the operator. Many good memories I was 15 towing our boat down to the keys ask my dad if I could drive I started out with one hand on the wheel by the time I got to the end I pulled over and I pryde my hands of the wheel. The best was a bar in stock island as you were leaving key west on the side of the building they painted free beer tommorrow and it never came.

@mikeyj9607 Жыл бұрын

In 73 I was stationed at Homestead AFB ,on a fourth of july weekend a bunch of us said hey lets go party in key West,I ended up driving ,I remember seeing what was left of the old railroad bridge all the lovely keys ,also really remember how much fun it was driving on that narrow bridge with the setting sun in my eyes ,the gang was asking why I didn't say much on that drive,if they only knew lol

@TheCarnivalguy 2 ай бұрын

I resided in Marathon, the Florida Keys, for almost a decade. My Saturdays were usually spent in Key West, so that also meant a trip over the seven mile bridge. Although after some time the drive became routine, my eyes never failed to glance out over the azure and aqua waters to behold their sheer beauty. Throw in a magnificent sunset along the bridge. That is not to be missed. Cheers

@swimcat2333 Жыл бұрын

The new bridge RUINED the keys so sad. Florida IS the most exploded place I have seen in my life time, what a simple beautiful paradise. Was cheap , the keys almost no air-conditioning . I lived on Stock Island ( no air-conditioning, dirt road) . Simple lovely

@mE-zx7pt Жыл бұрын

That sounds lovely but how did you manage without air conditioning?

@worldgirl5537 Жыл бұрын

I lived in key west from 1984 to 1987. Actualy stock island. We drove on the bridge several times. It was exciting. Right before we moved they were requiring mobils and homes to be built up 6 ft dur to hurricanes. Trailers were all tied down. There was a tom thumb store up the road and my husbands brother from cuba was killed in a bar there called boca chica i think. I liked deval st and sloppy joes bar. Nobody had air conditioners just fans it was so humid. Didnt have heaters either alot didnt cause it didnt get cold enough. Have a picture standing by the bell that says 90 miles cuba. Also malerey square and the sunsets were the best. Also boat races around the island. It was really nice and i learned how to make cuban food dishes. Survived 1 hurricane while there. It was scary and after it was over little crabs were tootiling down the street and the water was so clean and clear. Good times.

@crankychris2 Жыл бұрын

@@mE-zx7pt Few people had a/c anywhere in FL during the 50's and 60's.

@jefferyepstein9210 Жыл бұрын

@@mE-zx7pt House fans. Open the windows and turn on the fan. Was a constant breeze throughout the house. It wasn't cool like AC but it made it tolerable.

@DanielJStahl Жыл бұрын

I remember this bridge from my childhood. We drove it a few times and I remember seeing the older bridge but I didn't think anyone used it. Also the bridge was a filming location at the end of the 90s action movie True Lies.

@Frisian_man Жыл бұрын

great high quality videos keep up the good work

@charlesrocks Жыл бұрын

The Overseas Highway was an engineering marvel. I remember driving over the newer bridge in 2015 and it was amazing.

@Kyntteri 2 ай бұрын

"The bridge is out!" -Arnold Schwarzenegger

@frankrizzo4460 Жыл бұрын

I remember crossing that bridge as a kid with my family back in the 70s and being so scared it was only two lanes and the on coming traffic was so close to your car. So glad years later they built a bigger bridge.

@1glopz Жыл бұрын

And you were not driving an 18 wheeler that had to fold in the mirror to be able to pass another like truck on the way over the bridge

@frankrizzo4460 Жыл бұрын

@@1glopz Wow now that's unbelievable 😳

@anthonyflexas Жыл бұрын

Great video start forward and to the point!

@robertnussberger6449 Жыл бұрын

Under those bridges is the best fishing ever. And shark watching

@Sapphirez100 Жыл бұрын

the swing bridge was not removed until the early 80s, I lived there then, I can not even count how many times I crossed the old 7 mile. There was an explosion after a truck hit the propane tank, that killed the bridge keeper, Peter C. Fancher. And pretty well destroyed the swing bridge. It was the bridge keepers last day of work when he was killed. I think that would have been an important part of your history lesson. SO no they did not stop using the old 7 mile until the early 80s. Also it might have been important to tell about how the University of Miami had a marine biology station on Pigeon key for students.And that was the only thing on Pigeon key for a long time. Also there is another island called Sunshine key west of Pigeon. That is where there was a RV park for a long time.

@danielmoak6112 Жыл бұрын

The old bridge sections are beautiful monstrosities to witness. The drive across the keys is something spectacular

@ashleighelizabeth5916 Жыл бұрын

The one and only time I traveled to Key West on the Overseas Hwy was in 1976. I was only 4 and my parents and I were going to visit relatives in Key West. I can't remember very much of the trip but the one thing that stands out in my mind to this day is watching the sunset from the backseat of my dad's car as we traveled over 7 mile bridge.

@suzannehartmann946 Жыл бұрын

DO not underestimate an eighth grade education in 1830s. Try looking up a first grade reader from those days. Today's SIXTH graders would have trouble with the vocabulary. Never mind the math from that age group. Plus the civics and history lessons and the intense memorization. Science was not as up to date but was much more used in daily life.

@maketrax1 Жыл бұрын

You keep talking about how segments of the Seven Mile Bridge are deteriorating, yet you show pictures of the old Bahia Honda Bridge. I wish you would correct that.

@RobSchellinger Жыл бұрын

My grandfather was a lineman supervisor for Southern Bell in Miami. My grandparents always talked about how the U-boats had mined the old bridge with explosives and how you could see the ships burning, from downtown, after they left Miami and were attacked. During the missile crisis, my grandfather was in charge of installing communications at the KW naval base and kept my grandmother informed as much as he was allowed to.

@Taffthat Жыл бұрын

I stayed on Pigeon Key in 2009 when I was in High School as part of a Marine Biology school trip. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced in my life!

@OrganNLou Жыл бұрын

Florida used to be beautiful, but has overgrown, as too many people have moved there.

@crankychris2 Жыл бұрын

I've lived in S Florida for 68 years, you are 100% correct. Living on the water here is very expensive. Living anywhere down here is pricey.

@jonh901271 Жыл бұрын

Our family drove the two lane roads/bridges back in the 70s. It wasn't terrifying....it was slow. There was rarely any room to pass a slow vehicle so a trip to Key West could be a long, slow slog.

@richardplanck5650 Жыл бұрын

My two boys are at camp this week at Pigeon Key, beautiful place so much history.

@obensk Жыл бұрын

I've been on the newer version of the bridge driving from Florida to the keys once. One of the most beautiful routes I've taken yet.

@KeyLargoDude Жыл бұрын

You are mixing pictures of the Bahia Honda bridge with the Seven mile bridge your video the slide show. The double decked metal bridge is not the 7 Mile bridge, it's the Bahia Honda bridge two completely separate bridges...

@007stopjockin Жыл бұрын

You know your history buddy! 007

@Backroad_Junkie Жыл бұрын

The reason Flagler built the railroad was to get coal to Key West. He thought with the completion of the Panama Canal, ships would have to stop to restock coal. Unfortunately for Flagler, ships were quickly converting to oil, and had no need to stop at Key West. Ironic, that. I drove the road from one end to the other (and obviously back) because... Well, because you have to, lol...

@JoeOvercoat Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that insight. So much for his foresight with his investments. Course the good news for him was that everyone in the world had his back since he was rich already.

@EileenPCarryEPC Жыл бұрын

Living in FL now. Have been to and thru this highway. It’s so narrow that it becomes a nightmare if an accident occurs tho. Beautiful open ocean views!

@gregphillips1998 Жыл бұрын

I was going to say that it was there long after Hurricane Donna. I traveled over that bridge many times. The bridge was so narrow that school buses and tractor trailers would sometimes hit mirrors. My Aunt, Uncle and Cousins lived on Big Pine Ley for many years. My Uncle was killed on the seven mile bridge in a auto accident. My Aunt finally moved out sometime in the mid 80’s.

@patentexperts1675 Жыл бұрын

The original vehicle/auto bridges were so narrow that you had to sometimes pull your side view mirrors in to avoid hitting the oncoming vehicle. ALSO: your speed needed to be greatly reduced to be able to navigate with on coming traffic.

@MarinCipollina 2 ай бұрын

18 wheelers approaching each other from opposite directions would slow to a crawl.

@roberttrott5259 Жыл бұрын

I lost count of the inaccuracies in this account. I struggled to watch it to the end.

@bikeny Жыл бұрын

The music is really annoying too. Same problem I have with some other channels that like to use music while the narration goes on. So, do I watch the muted video and read closed captioning or watch the video while my brain fights to block out the music. For all that is holy, please, KZfaq narrators, knock it off with the music while you are speaking. If I want music, I'll watch actual music videos. Thank you.

@SaltyNationalist Жыл бұрын

I remember in the late 70's my dad use to take my brother and I fishing and we went across the old 7 mile bridge.. Lol, I had to unbuckle and get upon my knees to see out the window, but remember vividly looking out over the water as we drove.. Definitely a beautifully scenic ride looking over the salt water flats..

@jp99575w Жыл бұрын

My family moved to the Keys (Marathon) in 1960, I was raised here. The swing span was not damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960. In 1981 a backhoe loaded on a truck crossing the Seven-Mile Bridge hit the overhead bridge tender’s shack, rupturing a 1,000-gallon propane tank, causing a fire that killed the bridge tender and destroyed the swing bridge mechanisms. The bridge was closed for 22 hours, the heat was so intense it melted and twisted the steel beams of the bridge and for a period of time was opened to just 1 lane traffic until it was inspected to allow 2 lane traffic again safely. The swing bridge was never fixed and was removed when the new Seven-Mile Bridge opened.

@falloutpictures Жыл бұрын

I'm surprised you've included the main street bridge in Jacksonville

@svdagoat7972 Жыл бұрын

Been living in the Keys since '94 graduated Key West in '07 I wouldn't trade it for the world it's truly paradise but it's not the same little island it used to be, all the rich yankees from the north came down bought up all the land and ruined this place, jacked up the rent 3x higher than normal but at the same time its the same tourists that pump money into the town and keeps it afloat how ironic.

@colvinator1611 Жыл бұрын

Another great piece of American history and achievement. Colin, UK.

@GrouchyBear411 7 ай бұрын

Excellent video! 😊 Just some minor corrections: After the 1935 Hurricane the Railroad was indeed abandoned, but the majority of the bridges were NOT rebuilt, but the Highway was simply put on top of the existing bridges. So no, later the newest/current Highway was not a 3rd time really. Also, while talking about the 7 miles bridge, the Bahia Honda Bridge was primarily shown in this Video. not the same thing, different construction style, and the Bahia Honda Bridge spans the deepest channel crossed. Other than that I want to mention the use of the old bridge for the movie True Lies. The gap I the br8dge a plane supposedly blew away, was a existing gap in the old bridge. 😅

@Matt_from_Florida Жыл бұрын

09:30 09:36 09:48 *(every single picture* from 10:17 to 10:34) Why are you showing these pictures of the (old) Bahia Honda Bridge while talking about The Seven Mile Bridge? Every picture from 11:07 to 11:15 is showing the construction of *the current* Seven Mile Bridge, not the restoration of the old one. 09:51 The old Moser Channel swing-span was demolished after Hurricane Donna in 1960 (you say)? No. It survived until a fiery accident occurred in 1981 which killed the bridge tender, Peter C. Fancher. There is an inset metal plaque commemorating that event at the highest point of the current Seven Mile Bridge as it goes over The Moser Channel. The old swing-span's mechanical-mechanisms were never repaired (after the 1981 accident) and thus it remained permanently in its closed position (allowing vehicular traffic) until it was removed following the opening of the new 7-mile bridge in 1982.

@KevinSiebert Жыл бұрын

I want to see brightline restore the rails and made a station at Key West

@barberdoug6930 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful Ride From Key Largo To Key West. Wife And I Did It Twice All The Way Down From Northern Michigan.

@KoldingDenmark Жыл бұрын

Drove to Key West the first time in 1980. It was a "knee slamming" experience, every time we approached a truck. Have been there many times since. I miss driving on the old bridge. It was an experience of its own.

@philipdaley368 Жыл бұрын

What!? No mention of complete sections of the bridge being blown up during filming of "True Lies"!?

@allangibson2408 Жыл бұрын

They weren’t. They used a model and radio controlled cars.

@jaydibernardo4320 Жыл бұрын

@@allangibson2408 That I didn't know. Thx!

@allangibson2408 Жыл бұрын

@@jaydibernardo4320 Thats why they pay special effects guys so much money - so you don’t notice. CGI made it much easier over the last 30 years once computers got fast enough and enough memory - each frame of 35 mm film requires 8 to 16 Gigabytes of memory to render. (Which is why the Lunar Landings are not CGI - because 8 GB of computer memory was more than the total on the planet in 1969…)

@robotx9285 Жыл бұрын

@@allangibson2408 I miss real life miniature models being used in TV Shows and Movies. Both CGI and miniatures have their benefits, I feel models can add some grit that could be difficult to make with CGI.

@localcrew Жыл бұрын

We are here in the Keys right now and were on Seven Mile Bridge a couple days ago. It’s an amazing structure. It was used in the climactic scene in the Schwarzenegger film “True Lies”. Clips are on KZfaq. Check it out. Just subscribed!

@leondraw1766 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoy your videos.

@3DThrills Жыл бұрын

I lived very close to the bridge for many years. A lot of those pictures are of the old Bahia Honda Bridge, which was also replaced. The roadway on the original 7 Mile Bridge was so narrow, if 2 Winnebagos passed each other, they'd sometimes smash each other's windows off. The 7 Mile Grill used to be a great place to eat but it was sold and now has ridiculous prices.

@ad2181 Жыл бұрын

You are confusing when you talking about the seven mile bridge and showing the Bia-honda bridge.

@cratecruncher6687 Жыл бұрын

Similar story with the Galveston Causeway, probably influenced by the Florida project. These areas are highly corrosive environments year round with a magnitude 5 hurricane every thirty years taking out the weakened structure. In other words: public money pits, haha.

@rogernegrete5492 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this I.formative video.people know bow to build bridges.

@deannacrownover3 Жыл бұрын

I used to live in Marathon, which is one key over from Sombrero key and, connected by Seven Mile Bridge. It was so cool, we took the day off, to watch the filmmakers doing "True Lies" and watching the demolition experts blow up the original bridge! Ships were getting taller, masts were getting taller so they were starting to hit the underside of the old bridge. I don't live in Marathon anymore because of hurricane Andrew. I lost everything (we had a generational sugar plantation in homestead that was completely annihilated and that's what provided the finances for me to actually live in the keys and work on a charter boat) but, the keys are a magnificently beautiful place to live! It does get dicey during hurricane season though! We will never forget what happened to that train load of soldiers.

@Turkalicious1388 27 күн бұрын

The Keys and the Everglades are my favorite places in the world!! Born and raised in Dade! I cycled from Homestead by the “Last Chance Saloon” all the way down to Key West!! No better fishing anywhere else in the world! Thank you for this content!

@BlackheartCharlie Жыл бұрын

"Save the Keys. Blow the bridges." (A bumper sticker you'll sometimes see here in Key West. One that I sort of agree with. ) Capt. Blackheart Charlie Cayo Hueso