{{short description|Bridge in Florida, United States of America}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox Bridge |bridge_name= Astor Bridge |image= Astor Bridge at Astor, Florida over the St. Johns River 001.jpg |image_size=300px |caption= The Astor Bridge from the Blackwater Inn |official_name=Astor Bridge |id=110077 |locale=Astor, Florida |maint=Florida Department of Transportation |carries={{jct|state=FL|SR|40}}<br>(two general purpose lanes) |crosses=St. Johns River |design=Single-leaf bascule bridge |mainspan= |length={{convert|515|ft}} |below={{convert|20|ft}} |open=October 1980 |coordinates = {{coord|29.1675|-81.5231|display=inline,title}} }} The '''Astor Bridge''' is a single-leaf bascule bridge located in Astor, Florida that carries State Road 40 over the St. Johns River into Volusia. The first bridge on the site was built in 1926; the current bridge dates from 1980.
==History== thumb|left|The original bridge in 1957 The original Astor Bridge, a wooden structure, was constructed across the St. Johns River in 1926;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WMxPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4531,5865054&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=Two Volusia-Lake County Bridges Scheduled to Be Free of Charge|date=May 29, 1926|work=Evening Independent|page=12A|location=St. Petersburg, FL|accessdate=2012-09-02}}</ref> it replaced a ferry that crossed the river at Astor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78589886.html?dids=78589886:78589886&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14%2C+1997&author=Ormund+Powers&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=STEAMBOAT+COMMUNITY+SINKS+NAME+OF+MANHATTAN+TO+BECOME+ASTOR&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131194409/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78589886.html?dids=78589886:78589886&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+14,+1997&author=Ormund+Powers&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=STEAMBOAT+COMMUNITY+SINKS+NAME+OF+MANHATTAN+TO+BECOME+ASTOR&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Steamboat Community Sinks Name of Manhattan to Become Astor|last=Powers|first=Ormund|date=May 14, 1997|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=3|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Orlando, FL|agency=Lake Sentinel}}</ref> A steel swing section was later constructed, replacing the original wooden structure.<ref name="DNJ2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2012/08/08/state-road-40-traffic-back-to-normal-at-astor-bridge.html |title=State Road 40 traffic back to normal at Astor bridge |last=Whitney |first=Valerie |date=August 8, 2012 |work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal |accessdate=2012-09-02 |location=Daytona Beach, FL }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The current Astor Bridge was built in 1980,<ref name="DNJ2012"/> after the previous bridge was deemed dangerous and restricted to vehicles under {{convert|10000|lb}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EIU0AAAAIBAJ&pg=2744,4273467&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=Astor Bridge Too Rickety For Heavy Trucks, State Says|last=Williamson|first=Ronald|date=July 30, 1976|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|page=3B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref> Residents favored a high-level bridge further south, but a drawbridge located adjacent to the existing bridge was considered the best option from cost and environmental standpoints.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HGgpAAAAIBAJ&pg=2457,2599377&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=DOT Moving On New Astor Bridge Work|last=Lindley|first=Donald|date=February 23, 1977|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|page=3B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref>
The new bridge was constructed by the Houdallie-Duval-Wright Co. of Jacksonville, which had bid $4,060,575 for the project.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aswhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1323,2614980&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=Jacksonville Firm Low Bidder On Astor Bridge|last=O'Hara|first=Tom|date=December 21, 1977|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|page=2B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref> It opened in October 1980.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z_owAAAAIBAJ&pg=1293,2480118&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=New Bridge Raises Bad Feelings|last=Goodman|first=Kenneth|date=November 20, 1980|work=Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal|page=1C|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref> Following its construction, the previous bridge's bridge tender's house was moved to the Blackwater Inn adjacent to the bridge, then to the Pioneer Settlement for Creative Arts in Barberville for preservation and display.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y1MgAAAAIBAJ&pg=3763,4717748&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=Old Astor Bridgehouse Finds Barberville Home At Last|last=Monahan|first=Pat|date=September 11, 1980|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|page=1B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref>
After the construction of the current bridge, a naming dispute arose between the towns of Astor and Volusia,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dvwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2640,4015505&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=The No Name Bridge In Astor|date=August 8, 1981|work=Four Towns Journal|page=8|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref> which was not resolved until 1989 when the bridge was officially named the Astor Bridge.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB33D3760C9F416&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Bridge Gets Name, Ending 12-Year Debate|date=July 27, 1989|work=The Miami Herald|page=2B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Miami, FL}}</ref>
The bridge's decking was replaced in the early 1990s, and then again in a $788,000 project during 2012.<ref name="DC2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailycommercial.com/News/LakeCounty/081012bridge |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121054943/http://www.dailycommercial.com/News/LakeCounty/081012bridge |url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=Astor bridge reopened |date=August 12, 2012 |work=Daily Commercial |accessdate=2012-09-02 |location=Leesburg, FL }}</ref>
There are five bridge tenders who operate the bridge to allow river traffic to pass.<ref name="DC2012"/> It carries approximately 7,000 vehicles per day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2012/04/24/renovation-of-historic-astor-bridge-begins-monday.html |title=Renovation of historic Astor bridge begins Monday |last=Harper |first=Mark |date=April 24, 2012 |work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal |accessdate=2012-09-02 |location=Daytona Beach, FL }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==Accidents== During the 1970s the bridge was considered by the Florida Department of Transportation to be "one of the most hazardous road sections in Florida".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wUUfAAAAIBAJ&pg=6058,105905&dq=astor-bridge&hl=en|title=Astor Bridge Job Off Until 1978|last=Lindley|first=Donald|date=July 16, 1975|work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|page=1B|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Daytona Beach, FL}}</ref>
The Astor Bridge was struck by a barge on March 23, 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77809292.html?dids=77809292:77809292&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+24%2C+1995&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=BARGE+HITS+ASTOR+BRIDGE+NEAR+VOLUSIA%2C+LAKE+LINE&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131202758/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77809292.html?dids=77809292:77809292&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+24,+1995&author=&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=BARGE+HITS+ASTOR+BRIDGE+NEAR+VOLUSIA,+LAKE+LINE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Barge Hits Astor Bridge Near Volusia, Lake Line|date=March 24, 1995|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=D3|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Orlando, FL}}</ref>
A safety net was tested on the bridge in 1995, to catch any vehicles that overran the bridge when it was open;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77949913.html?dids=77949913:77949913&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+12%2C+1995&author=Mickie+Anderson+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=FEARLESS+DRIVER+TO+TEST+ASTOR%27S+STEEL+SAFETY+NET+STATE+OFFICIALS+PLAN+TO+PROVE+THAT+THE+NET+WILL+KEEP+A+CAR+FROM+FALLING+INTO+THE+WATER.&pqatl=google|title=Fearless Driver To Test Astor's Steel Safety Net|last=Anderson|first=Mickie|date=July 12, 1995|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=1|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Orlando, FL|agency=Lake Sentinel}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> the test was successfully completed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77932393.html?dids=77932393:77932393&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+13%2C+1995&author=Mickie+Anderson+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=METAL+NET+SUCCEEDS+AS+SAFETY+DEVICE+DRAGNET+STOPS+A+JEEP+IN+ITS+TRACKS+IN+ABOUT+30+FEET+AT+THE+END+OF+THE+ASTOR+DRAWBRIDGE.&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131212023/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77932393.html?dids=77932393:77932393&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+13,+1995&author=Mickie+Anderson+of+The+Sentinel+Staff&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=METAL+NET+SUCCEEDS+AS+SAFETY+DEVICE+DRAGNET+STOPS+A+JEEP+IN+ITS+TRACKS+IN+ABOUT+30+FEET+AT+THE+END+OF+THE+ASTOR+DRAWBRIDGE.&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Metal Net Succeeds As Safety Device Stops A Jeep In Its Tracks In About 30 Feet At The End Of The Astor Drawbridge|last=Anderson|first=Mickie|date=July 13, 1995|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=1|accessdate=2012-09-02|location=Orlando, FL|agency=Lake Sentinel}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commons category|Astor Bridge}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYONAX0tHY0 Crossing the bridge]
{{Crossings navbox |structure = Crossings |place = St. Johns River |bridge = Astor Bridge |bridge signs = 25px |upstream = Francis P. Whitehair Bridge |upstream signs = 25px |downstream = Drayton Island Ferry |downstream signs = }} {{Bridges of Florida}}
Category:Bridges over the St. Johns River Category:Bridges completed in 1980 Category:Road bridges in Florida Category:Bridges in Volusia County, Florida Category:1980 establishments in Florida Category:Bascule bridges in the United States