State Road 913 - Rickenbacker Causeway

Florida State Road 913
Views of Rickenbacker Causeway from Hobie Island Beach Park to the southeast. The eastern section of Old Rickenbacker Causeway was retained for use as a fishing pier. The western segment was demolished. 12/29/03

Rickenbacker Causeway connects Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 at the Coconut Grove and Brickell section of Miami with Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. Unsigned State Road 913 lines SW/SE 26th Road for 0.37 miles between the ramps with I-95 at Exit 1A and the Rickenbacker Causeway toll plaza. Originally built in 1944, the bridge system is the only route to Key Biscayne.

The dual spans of Rickenbacker Causeway accommodate six overall lanes of traffic across two sets of bridges. The 3,629 foot long main span across Biscayne Bay, the Willam M. Powell Bridge, was constructed in 1985.1 The 2,102 foot long span across Bear Cut between Virginia Key and Key Biscayne was rebuilt in 1983.1

The bridge and causeway system is named for Edward Rickenbacker, who lived between 1890-1973. Rickenbacker had a busy career, starting as a fighter pilot in World War I. He became president of Eastern Airlines in 1938; during World War II he became stranded at sea while traveling the Pacific Theatre of the war. After being rescued, Rickenbacker returned to work at Eastern Airlines, which grew into one of the dominant airline companies of its era.

References:

  1. Rickenbacker Cswy over Intracoastal Waterway, Miami-Dade County, Florida. BridgeReports.com.
  2. Rickenbacker Cswy. over Biscayne Bay/Bear Cut, Miami-Dade County, Florida. BridgeReports.com.

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Page Updated Friday April 26, 2019.