Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge

Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge: Engineering Marvel and Iconic Landmark

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge, also known as Colonel George Kumpe Bridge, holds a significant place in the history and infrastructure of Venice, Florida. Located at mile marker 56.6, the bridge features a vertical clearance of 30 feet while in the closed position and is a critical connection point for residents and visitors alike. Displaying a bascule-style design, the bridge operates by pivoting on a horizontal axis to allow for the passage of larger vessels on the waterway beneath it.

Constructed in the 1960s, this historic girder bridge showcases a standard plan of welded steel with long approaches. The bridge is stationed within a very narrow cut with no aids to navigation, challenging boaters to navigate with care through depths of four to five feet. Serving as an essential element of Venice's transportation system, the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge seamlessly blends functionality, history, and unique design elements.

As a noteworthy piece of Florida's architectural heritage, the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge continues to stand as a testament to the innovative engineering and craftsmanship of its time. Its importance stretches beyond its practical use, serving as an iconic symbol of Venice's coastal charm and an essential component of daily life within the community.

Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is a vital structure located in Venice, Florida. It connects the Gulf coast to the mainland, allowing traffic to flow smoothly across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The bridge is situated at Mile Marker 56.6, near the Venice Municipal Airport.

Bridge Type

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is a Bascule bridge, characterized by its ability to open and close for passing marine traffic. Bascule bridges are often found in locations with heavy boat traffic, as they provide a convenient and efficient way for vessels to navigate through the waterway.

Vertical Clearance

The vertical clearance of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is 30.00 ft when closed. This clearance allows for the passage of vessels with tall masts or superstructures, ensuring that they can safely travel under the bridge without any risk of collision. When the bridge is open, the vertical clearance increases, providing ample space for even larger vessels to pass through.

Horizontal Clearance

Unfortunately, information regarding the horizontal clearance of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is not available. However, it is essential for marine traffic to navigate through the area with caution, as the bridge's dimensions could vary depending on the specific needs and requirements of the local community and waterway.

Location and Views

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is situated in Venice, Florida, over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The bridge offers stunning views of the surrounding area and serves as a vital connection between the mainland and the Gulf coast. Its location and proximity to nearby attractions make it a noteworthy point of interest for both residents and tourists.

Mile Marker

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge can be found at Mile Marker 56.6 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This strategic position allows for smooth navigation through the waterway, as it is one of three opening bridges in the Venice Municipal Airport area ¹.

Park Blvd

While crossing the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge, travelers can enjoy picturesque views of the nearby Park Blvd and its surrounding scenery. The bridge's close proximity to Park Blvd also provides convenient access to local parks, recreational facilities, and other attractions near the coast.

In conclusion, the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge's location along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and close to Park Blvd make it an essential and picturesque feature of the Venice, Florida landscape.

Footnotes

1. (https://marinas.com/view/bridge/mgu13_Venice_Avenue_Bascule_Bridge_Venice_FL_United_States) ↩

Operation and Regulations

VHF Channel

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge operators communicate via VHF Channel.

Horn Signal

Before approaching the bridge, vessels should signal their request for the bridge to be opened using the appropriate horn signal.

Bridge Tender

The bridge tender is responsible for operating the bridge and ensuring the safe passage of vessels through the bridge opening.

Schedule

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge has a specific schedule for opening and closing to accommodate maritime traffic, while maintaining convenience for vehicular traffic on the bridge as well. Timings and conditions of the schedule are regulated to ensure smooth functioning of the bridge.

Draw

The draw of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge permits the passage of larger vessels when needed, as the bridge provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet at mean high water in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of 90 feet. During the opening, the bascule bridge lifts to allow ample clearance for vessels, and is operated by the bridge tender.

Signal

To request a bridge opening, vessels must use the appropriate horn signal to alert the bridge tender of their approach. The bridge tender will respond by opening the bridge according to the set schedule or as per regulations, ensuring the safe transit of the vessel.

Regulations

The operation of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is subject to regulations to maintain smooth sailing for vessels and traffic flow on the roadway. These regulations determine the bridge schedule, signal protocols, and other safety measures, all aimed at meeting the reasonable needs of navigation and road traffic.

Navigation Information

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is located in Venice, Florida on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 56.6. This bridge serves as a crucial connection point for traffic moving between the Gulf Coast and the mainland.

Closed Vertical Clearance

The closed vertical clearance of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is 30.00 feet, which means that when the bridge is closed, a vessel with a height of more than 30 feet would need the bridge to be opened in order to pass through. The horizontal clearance of the bridge is 90.00 feet, providing ample space for vessels to maneuver through the waterway.

In order to facilitate safe navigation through the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge, mariners are advised to utilize NOAA Chart 11425 which provides valuable charted information about the bridge and the surrounding waterway. This chart includes details about aids to navigation, such as buoys and markers, which can help mariners to safely pass through the area.

One of the key elements of the navigation process is understanding the project depths in the area. Project depths are the officially surveyed and reported water depths in a navigation channel and can be found on NOAA charts. By referring to the project depths for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge, mariners can ensure they have up-to-date information about water depths, thus ensuring safe passage while navigating the bridge.

Substantial emphasis is placed on maintaining up-to-date aids to navigation and reporting accurate project depths, as they are crucial elements of safe navigation for vessels. As a result, mariners using the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge can confidently navigate the waters, knowing they have reliable and accurate information at hand. The use of NOAA Chart 11425 and the knowledge of the closed vertical clearance of the bridge are essential tools for mariners in this area to guarantee a safe and efficient journey.

Reviews and Feedback

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge has been consistently mentioned as an important and well-designed structure in Venice, Florida. It is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 56.6, connecting the Gulf coast to the mainland [^1^]. Spanning the waterway, the bridge carries traffic to and from the Venice Municipal Airport and is one of the three opening bridges in this area.

Many people appreciate the bridge's convenient location, with some expressing satisfaction with the smooth traffic flow when traversing the bridge. The bridge is a welded steel bascule bridge with long approaches which was built based on standard 1960s design. Its architectural elements are viewed as essential to the city's history and infrastructure.

In terms of functionality, the Venice Avenue Bridge is a Bascule bridge that provides a vertical clearance of 30.00 ft when closed and a horizontal clearance of 90.00 ft. This has been highlighted by those familiar with the area as advantageous, particularly in cases of larger vessels passing through the waterway.

Overall, the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge has been well received by locals and visitors alike. Its combination of practical functionality, historic design, and ease of use make it an essential connector within the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge?

The Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge, also known as the Colonel George Kumpe Bridge, is a structure with origins dating back to the 1960s. This welded steel bascule bridge features a standard plan design with long approaches and is located in Venice on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 56.6. The bridge carries traffic to and from the Gulf coast to the mainland and serves as a vital connection for the community. It is one of the three opening bridges in the Venice Municipal Airport area (source).

How does the bascule mechanism work?

A bascule bridge utilizes a counterweight system that allows for the efficient raising and lowering of the bridge's movable span. As the counterweights provide the necessary balance, the bridge requires less energy to operate and can be opened and closed in a short amount of time. The bascule mechanism has been widely employed in many bridge designs due to its efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with a variety of waterway traffic.

What are the main features of the bridge?

The main features of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge include its welded steel construction, long approach spans, and bascule lifting mechanism. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 30.00 ft when closed and a horizontal clearance of 90.00 ft, making it suitable for a wide range of boat traffic (source).

How long is the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge?

The exact length of the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is not specified in the available sources. However, it is clear that the bridge features long approach spans, which are necessary for connecting the mainland and Gulf coast areas, ensuring smooth traffic flow for both vehicles and watercraft.

Are there any maintenance requirements?

Like any other bridge, the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge requires regular maintenance to ensure its integrity and safety. Maintenance tasks may include periodic inspections, cleaning, painting, and addressing any structural or mechanical issues as they arise to prolong the bridge's lifespan and ensure its reliable operation for the community.

What is the clearance for boat traffic under the bridge?

The clearance for boat traffic under the Venice Avenue Bascule Bridge is 30.00 ft when closed, with a horizontal clearance of 90.00 ft. This allows for easy passage of a variety of watercraft, ensuring smooth navigation for both leisure and commercial boats (source).