Blackburn Point Swing Bridge

Comment by: Mona Dyke, Summer Fling, on Jan 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Bridge is opening on the hour & every 20 minutes.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Schdule above is per the bridge tender. The CFR's nor LNM's do not list this schedule.

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Comment by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

The rarity of swing bridges makes them fun to pass through despite the clearance being tighter due to the nature of the design. The Blackburn Point bridge is quaint and nostalgic and the bridge tenders have always been pleasant to work with. (I note that several reviewers seem taken aback by the tender asking for their boat's name. They seem to be small power boats that are unaccustomed to requesting passage through draw bridges. Nearly every bridge we have requested a lift from in the last 10-15 years has requested our vessel's name. This is just Standard Operating Procedure.)

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Comment by: Janet Cortez on May 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 4.0'

Spoke to bridge yesterday and he said he was repaired and functioning now.

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Comment by: D K on May 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 28'
Draft: 1.5'

Due to repairs, bridge is currently closed to vessels needing it open to pass. If clearance allows you may pass under. Undetermined at this time for how long.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  A navigation alert is posted in Waterway Guide Explorer.

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Comment by: Bruce Mitchel, LULU , on May 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.0'

I understand that this bridge is now reduced from demand to operating on the top of the hour only Good idea to communicate with bridge operator and other traffic well in advance as this bridge only has 9' vert.clearance with less than 25'width and will be a congested choke point

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  This is a temporary schedule while repairs are underway. When repairs are completed the on demand schedule will resume.

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Comment by: Bruce Mitchel, LULU , on Apr 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.0'

Currently operating on the hour and half hour due to mechanical problems This was communicated to me by bridge operator on Sunday 4/24

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Comment by: Albee Road Bridge on May 28, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Hailed bridge on channel 9 - opened bridge for our group and kept it open for upcoming boats that requested to stay open as well. Nice, friendly and fast. Thank you!

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Comment by: Kathy Swan on Sep 13, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 23'
Draft: 0.0'

It was Friday, September 6, 2019 approximately 3:00pm the woman operating the bridge was extremely rude and we waited 30-45 min for her to come out of her shack after waving to her to open the bridge. She saw us and ignored us. When she came out she said “you want me to open the bridge you needed to call”. When I finally went through, she was angry because I started through before the bridge had come to a complete stop. I have never encountered this situation before having been through this bridge numerous times before. This woman was clearly arrogant and on a power trip. You might want to remind her that without boaters, she wouldn’t have a job!

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Bridge tenders only respond to contact via VHF or horn signal.

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Comment by: Rick on Jun 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

06-23-19 11:59 am Mr. Bridge operator was rude and unprofessional on the radio! Asked me multiple times for boat name? Not just us but other boats as well! Heckling? All the years never had this situation, he gives other operators a bad name! Attitude! If the man hates his job or life get another ! Go back to where you came from! Life long (55) years Floridian and boater. Bridge operator is on a power trip and needs attitude change. Likes to ruin every ones day! Your life must suck! You could simply be nice to the people who employee you! The boaters, not the goverment.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Suggest you call the FDOT Bridge Division with your complaint.

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Comment by: Torie, Chapter Two, on Jan 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 5.0'

Blackburn Point Bridge opened on demand for us on first call. It’s an interesting little swing bridge in the middle of no where. The bridge tender has to walk out to the middle to turn bridge to open it. One of my favorites on the west coast of Florida, with the exception of the new 65’ ICW bridges that you do to have to wait for of course.

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Comment by: Dakota, Reprieve, on Dec 18, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 26'
Draft: 4.2'

Was under full sail towards the bridge and the operator closed it on me just before entering so I had to drop anchor under sail due to my engine being broken. He opened it up again fast but I nearly crashed and had I not had a crew of 3 I would have crashed trying to stop. Claimed traffic was backed up but my vessel was in distress with no working engine and holding it open for a few more minutes wouldn't of hurt anything. Overall operator was nice but he should of put my vessel over a little traffic since I live on this boat.

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Comment by: Jesse on Sep 24, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'

The woman doesn't answer the radio after four tries. Then, after having the Albee bridge call her, she closed the bridge as we were approching causing us to run a ground. Doesn't do her job well.

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Comment by: Ken johnson on Apr 15, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
Draft: 3.0'

Arrived at 2:30 pm and waited with two other boats. When we went through the bridge tender wanted the name of our boat. Why?

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Comment by: George Adamczyk, Chances Are, on Nov 5, 2016
LOA: 30'
Draft: 4.0'

Bridge opens 8am and every 4 hrs.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  This is due to repairs being made on the bridge. See the nav alert posted.

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Comment by: Pete Roberts, Perfect Timing, on Oct 30, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 0.0'

Arrived at bridge with four other boats at 2:30 PM. Tender wouldn't open till 5! We backtracked to Venice and went outside in windy conditions to make it to Longboat Key. Call ahead if possible.

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