State Road 913 - Rickenbacker Causeway
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.
The Atlantic Ocean at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. - 10/01/2017
The Atlantic Ocean at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. - 10/01/2017
Crandon Boulevard travels north through Crandon Park between the town of Key Biscayne and the Bear Cut Bridge to Virginia Key.
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Crandon Boulevard transitions to Rickenbacker Causeway across the Bear Cut Bridge. Bear Cut flows between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
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The Bear Cut Bridge accommodates four lanes of traffic across a single span. The low rise bridge travels just 16.1 feet above the channel.2
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Virginia Beach Drive spurs east to Virginia Key Park from Rickenbacker Causeway at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
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Rickenbacker Causeway (unsigned CR 913) proceeds north on Virginia Key to Arthur Lamb, Jr. Road and the signalized entrance to MAST Academy.
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Turning west, Rickenbacker Causeway climbs onto the William M. Powell Bridge across Biscayne Bay.
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A cluster of skyscrapers line the Biscayne Bayfront from Downtown Miami to the north of Rickenbacker Causeway.
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Rickenbacker Causeway (CR 913) lowers onto a man made island ahead of the Brickell neighborhood in Miami.
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Miami has a uniquely colorful skyline that draws upon its Caribbean influences.
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Crossing the west channel bridge, Rickenbacker Causeway transitions to SE 26th Road (SR 913). State maintenance commences on the ensuing 0.37 mile stretch to I-95 and SW 1st Avenue.
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North
A flyover ramp departs SR 913 next for U.S. 1 (Dixie Highway) south. The ramp ties into the south end of Interstate 95 beyond a low clearance bridge.
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Traffic partitions for SR 913 (SE 26th Road) north to Brickell Avenue (former U.S. 1) and the flyovers for Interstate 95 and U.S. 1. Sign changes made here dropped U.S. 1 from Brickell Avenue but did not add U.S. 1 for I-95 north.
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The elevated ramp for Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 separates above South Miami Avenue. U.S. 1 rejoins Dixie Highway southwest from I-95 to the Coconut Grove section of Miami and the city of Coral Gables.
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U.S. 1 was realigned onto I-95 south from the Downtown Distributor (SR 970) and Downtown Miami to the freeway end at Dixie Highway in 2013.
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The northbound entrance ramp to I-95 & U.S. 1 combines with traffic from SW 25th Road ahead of Downtown Miami.
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South
SW 26th Road leads two blocks southeast from SR 972 (SW 3rd Avenue) in The Roads neighborhood to become a part of unsigned SR 913 at SW 1st Avenue.
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A half diamond interchange joins SW 26th Road (SR 913) and Rickenbacker Causeway with I-95/U.S. 1 at SW Miami Court.
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A flyover ramp links Rickenbacker Causeway with the south end of I-95 above SW 26th Road (SR 913) just ahead of South Miami Avenue.
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SR 913 proceeds south one block to Brickell Avenue north and Dixie Highway south, the pre-2013 alignment of U.S. 1 through the Brickell neighborhood of Miami.
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SR 913 (SE 26th Road) concludes at the Rickenbacker Causeway toll plaza.
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Rickenbacker Causeway spans the west channel ahead of Hobe Island Beach Park.
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Rickenbacker Causeway proceeds east to a turn around for Hobe Island Beach Park.
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The William M. Powell Bridge along Rickenbacker Causeway rises to a height of 76.1 feet over Biscayne Bay.1
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Rickenbacker Causeway (Unsigned County Road 913) arcs south onto Virginia Key.
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Traffic lights operate at the entrance to MAST Academy.
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The 2.93 mile alignment of CR 913 on Rickenbacker Causeway concludes at Virginia Beach Drive.
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Rickenbacker Causeway ascends across the Bear Cut Bridge from Virginia Beach Drive onto Key Biscayne.
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Crandon Boulevard extends southwest from Rickenbacker Causeway and the Bear Cut Bridge through Crandon Park.
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References:
- Rickenbacker Cswy over Intracoastal Waterway, Miami-Dade County, Florida. BridgeReports.com.
- Rickenbacker Cswy. over Biscayne Bay/Bear Cut, Miami-Dade County, Florida. BridgeReports.com.
Photo Credits:
- ABRoads: 10/01/17
- Andy Field: 12/29/03
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Page Updated Friday April 26, 2019.