Did You Know: St. Augustine Bridge of Lions

This starts a new series of posts on my blog titled “Did You Know.” I present to you, Did You Know: St. Augustine Bridge of Lions.

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Did You Know: St. Augustine Bridge of Lions

1. The Matanzas River Bridge first opened to traffic on February 26, 1927. During the Ponce de Leon festival on April 7, 1927, officials officially dedicated the bridge. The bridge was designed by J.E. Greiner Company and cost approximately $911,000.
2. The bridge is 1,538 feet in length, with 23 approach spans supported by piers constructed of steel arch girders, floor beams, and stringers.
3. The bridge has pedestrian walkways, allowing walkers and joggers, to safely cross.
4. The bridge is a part of State Road A1A.
5. The National Register of Historic Places added the bridge to its listings in 1982.
6. The bridge connects St. Augustine to Anastasia Island and spans the Matanzas Bay.
7. The bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge. This means the bridge is moveable and swings upward on both sides, allowing boat traffic to pass.
8. The bridge opens to boat traffic Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the hour and half-hour; with no openings at 8 a.m., 12 noon and 5 p.m.
9. On Saturday, Sunday and Federal holidays, the bridge opens 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the hour and half-hour, including 8 a.m., 12 noon, and 5 p.m., if requested.
10. The Bridge of Lions will open upon request, Monday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., without exception to the hour and half hour.
11. The bridge closed in 2006 for an $80 million renovation project. It reopened in 2010.
12. Two pairs of lions guard the east and west entries to the bridge. The lions guarding the bridge from the east side are named Pax and Peli (Peace and Happiness). The lions guarding the west side are named Fiel and Firme (Faithful and Firm).
13. Fiel and Firm are replicas of the Medici Lions. Former mayor Dr. Andrew Anderson donated the lions to the city.
14. St. Augustine residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau commissioned and donated Pax and Peli.

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