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The Albert W. Gilchrist Bridge is a bridge in
The Gilchrist Bridge opened for traffic on July 4, 1976. It was built to make U.S. 41 a four lane highway over the Peace River.
When the Gilchrist Bridge opened, the original Barron Collier Bridge was still in service, which was a low-level drawbridge. It carried one lane in each direction prior to the Gilchrist Bridge's completion, and then carried two lanes of northbound traffic afterward. The Gilchrist Bridge lands at Cross Street in Punta Gorda, which was a couple of blocks west of King Street (where the Barron Collier Bridge lands). As a result, US 41 is carried on two one-way streets through Punta Gorda.
The current Barron Collier Bridge was then built in 1983, eliminating the need for the drawbridge which continued to disrupt northbound traffic. The current Barron Collier Bridge was built right next to the original, and is identical to the Gilchrist Bridge.
Albert W. Gilchrist was not the only name considered for the southbound bridge at the time of its construction. Naming the bridge after
, upstream =
, downstream = Charlotte Harbor , downstream signs = Road bridges in Florida U.S. Route 41 Punta Gorda, Florida Transportation buildings and structures in Charlotte County, Florida Concrete bridges in Florida Girder bridges in the United States Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System Bridges completed in 1976
Charlotte County, Florida
Charlotte County is a U.S. county located in southwestern Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 186,847. Its county seat is Punta Gorda.
Charlotte County comprises the Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is i ...
, crossing the Peace River
The Peace River () is a river in Canada that originates in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia and flows to the northeast through northern Alberta. The Peace River joins the Athabasca River in the Peace-Athabasca Delta to form the ...
between Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. The population was 60,625 at the 2020 census, up from 54,392 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan ...
, and Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda (; ), a city located in Southwest Florida, is the county seat of Charlotte County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 19,471, up from 16,641 at the 2010 census ...
. The two-lane 45-foot-tall structure carries the southbound lanes of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail
The Tamiami Trail () is the southernmost of U.S. Highway 41 (US 41) from State Road 60 (SR 60) in Tampa to US 1 in Miami. A portion of the road also has the hidden designation of State Road 90 (SR 90).
The north� ...
). US 41's northbound lanes are carried over the river on the adjacent Barron Collier Bridge
The Barron Collier Bridge is a bridge in Charlotte County, Florida that crosses the Peace River connecting Punta Gorda, Florida and Port Charlotte, Florida. It is 45 feet tall and carries two northbound lanes of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail). ...
. It was named for former Florida Governor
The governor of Florida is the head of government of the U.S. state of Florida. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the government of Florida and is the commander-in-chief of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Gu ...
Albert W. Gilchrist, who resided in Punta Gorda.
History
The Gilchrist Bridge opened for traffic on July 4, 1976. It was built to make U.S. 41 a four lane highway over the Peace River.
When the Gilchrist Bridge opened, the original Barron Collier Bridge was still in service, which was a low-level drawbridge. It carried one lane in each direction prior to the Gilchrist Bridge's completion, and then carried two lanes of northbound traffic afterward. The Gilchrist Bridge lands at Cross Street in Punta Gorda, which was a couple of blocks west of King Street (where the Barron Collier Bridge lands). As a result, US 41 is carried on two one-way streets through Punta Gorda.
The current Barron Collier Bridge was then built in 1983, eliminating the need for the drawbridge which continued to disrupt northbound traffic. The current Barron Collier Bridge was built right next to the original, and is identical to the Gilchrist Bridge.
Albert W. Gilchrist was not the only name considered for the southbound bridge at the time of its construction. Naming the bridge after Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León ( – July 1521) was a Spanish explorer and ''conquistador'' known for leading the first official European expedition to Puerto Rico in 1508 and Florida in 1513. He was born in Santervás de Campos, Valladolid, Spain, in ...
was suggested at one point, as well as for Phil Laishley, a former Punta Gorda mayor. "Bicentennial Bridge" was another suggested name due to the bridge opening on July 4, 1976, the bicentennial anniversary of the United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. Ultimately, Gilchrist was selected to be the bridge's namesake since he is a significant figure in area's history.
See also
* * *References
{{Crossings navbox , structure = Crossings , place =Peace River
The Peace River () is a river in Canada that originates in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia and flows to the northeast through northern Alberta. The Peace River joins the Athabasca River in the Peace-Athabasca Delta to form the ...
, bridge = Gilchrist Bridge
, bridge signs = , upstream =
Barron Collier Bridge
The Barron Collier Bridge is a bridge in Charlotte County, Florida that crosses the Peace River connecting Punta Gorda, Florida and Port Charlotte, Florida. It is 45 feet tall and carries two northbound lanes of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail). ...
, upstream signs = , downstream = Charlotte Harbor , downstream signs = Road bridges in Florida U.S. Route 41 Punta Gorda, Florida Transportation buildings and structures in Charlotte County, Florida Concrete bridges in Florida Girder bridges in the United States Bridges of the United States Numbered Highway System Bridges completed in 1976