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The impressive Seven Mile Bridge is a section of the US 1 Overseas Highway located just west of Marathon. The bridge crosses over a channel between the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Strait. When it was built, it was one of the longest bridges in existence.
Two bridges currently exist. The original bridge was built between 1909-1912 as a railroad bridge, but was badly damaged during a hurricane in 1935 and was re-built for automobiles. It was further damaged in 1960 and today is mainly used as a fishing pier.
The present bridge was built between 1979-1982. It consists of 440 spans and at its centre, the bridge rises about 20 m above the water for boat clearance, but for the most part other spans are much closer to the water. Although called the Seven Mile Bridge, the bridge is actually 6.79 miles (10.93 km).
There is a small car park area at the beginning of the bridge on the side closest to Marathon that allows you to walk around and observe this structure. You can also walk along the old bridge for some different vantage points and it takes you all the way across to Pigeon Key.
Last updated: January 2007
