Melbourne Causeway

Melbourne Causeway
Melbourne Causeway in 2013
Coordinates	28°05′02″N 80°35′29″W / 28.0840°N 80.5915°W / 28.0840; -80.5915
Carries	2 general purpose lanes of US 192 (each bridge)
Crosses	Indian River Lagoon
Locale	between Melbourne, Florida and Indialantic, Florida
Official name	Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Bridge
Maintained by	Florida Department of Transportation
ID number	700174 - Westbound 700181 - Eastbound
Characteristics
Design	reinforced concrete
Total length	2.0 km (1.26 miles) (bridge lengths combined)
Width	unknown
Longest span	790.0 meters (2592.50 feet / 0.491 mile)
Clearance above	16.76 meters (55 feet)
Clearance below	15.25 meters (50 feet)
History
Opened	1979 - Westbound, 1984 - Eastbound

The Melbourne Causeway is located entirely within Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is composed of three bridges and connects the municipalities of Melbourne and Indialantic across the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County. The causeway is part of U.S. 192 (also known as SR 500), whose eastern terminus is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the bridge, at SR A1A. East of the bridge, the road is known locally as Fifth Avenue. On the western side, the road continues through downtown Melbourne as Strawbridge Avenue. Each July 4 the bridge is closed for a fireworks show.

There are two bridges in Melbourne, the Melbourne Causeway and the Eau Gallie Causeway (SR 518) With the latter being named for the old city of Eau Gallie, which merged with Melbourne in 1969.

Ernest Kouwen-Hoven began construction of the second bridge across the Indian River in 1919. The first bridge was completed 2 years earlier near Cocoa, Florida. By May 1921 the bridge was complete and unofficially opened as a toll bridge. It was 9,706 feet ( 2958 meters) or nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) long (3 kilometers). Approximately 1/3 of the way from Melbourne there was a 134-foot (41 m) long hand operated draw. On September 18, 1921 it officially opened. A Mr. J. E. Campbell was the first to drive across the bridge. During construction three sawmills were built by Ernest Kouwen-Hoven. They did not all exist at the same time. The first one was in Melbourne Village, the second was on the Nevin Property on Merritt Island, and the third was 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Grant.