A Bridge of Quite Different Sighs: Tampa's 83 Year Old Columbus Drive Bridge Is Looking Strong and Sturdy in Black and White.

Tampa has plenty of bridges over the river and bays. Many of them were built several years ago and have been regularly inspected and maintained and a few, such as the Howard Franklin Bridge and Gandy Bridge over Tampa Bay, have had entire spans replaced in recent years. This bridge over the Hilllsborough River at Columbus Drive is one of those that you speed across and never give it a thought. It's so fast and routine that very few even notice they're crossing a body of water. You're only on it for a matter of seconds and then it's forgotten. A swing-type bridge built in 1926, it is an entirely different structure, and experience, when seen from the water. We need to stop once in a while and really look at these places and things from our lives that we might see every day but pay little if any attention to. Yes, admittedly it is old, and may be showing its age and some wear. But it's a fascinating example of design and engineering that is recognized as one of roughly 32,000 Historic Bridges in the United States. It was built right long ago and still serves its purpose very well. Even if we don't pause and take a closer look.

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