Southern Boulevard (SR 700/80) Bridge

Comment by: Wendy Hawkes, Aquatania, on Jan 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

This is not a 25' bridge as described. Tide board for southbound is broken off above the waterline at around 19' marker. At midtide we estimated 21' clearance guessing from the board but due to Jan -June 2024 restrictions we faced a half hour wait for special scheduled opening. Bridge tender confirmed Southern Blvd is SAME CLEARANCE Flagler Memorial & Royal Park (which we'd cleared already w/o openings). she was kind to offer that info and saved us a 30 min wait.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Vertical clearance of 21' confirmed and listing changed.

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Comment by: Richard on Feb 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Missed the opening by 30 seconds. Bridge tender held it for us. Thank you very much!

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Comment by: Paul Hoffman, Changes in L'Attitudes, on Dec 4, 2022
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Southern Blvd Bridge (mm 1024.7) single leaf openings only. Source: USCG District 7 LNM 48/22 = = = = = Due to emergency repairs, the Southern Blvd Bridge will provide a single-leaf opening per drawbridge operation regulation 33 CFR 117.261(w) until further notice. A full opening will not be provided. The single-leaf opening will provide at least 60 feet of horizontal clearance.

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Comment by: Maria Ryabov on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 28'
Draft: 3.3'

Bridge is all cleaned up, only east side opens currently. Opened on the hour for us and a barge. Clearance for all to come through now! No height restrictions anymore.

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Comment by: Frank Lacorte on Nov 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 61'
Draft: 5.0'

They were still doing construction but the 14' bridge is no longer… there were no height boards posted yet. But I had approx 21 feet clearance at high tide. Maybe 23 at the center. 14 feet doesn't exist anymore. It still opens at quarter past and 45.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Vertical clearance of new bridge is 25 feet.

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Comment by: Brad, sv Fuzzy Logic, on Apr 13, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

4/13/22 Bridge is under construction and even though there is 65ft clearance at low tide, the workers are taking up a majority of the horizontal clearance making it impossible for a 23ft beam 65ft catamaran to pass, even at low tide.

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Comment by: Jane Hawkey, Explorer II, on Apr 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.5'

The bascule bridge is still under construction with just half span open. There is a temporary steel bridge right after it that lifts on the 1/4 and 3/4 hour. But the catch is that this temporary bridge lifts vertically with a maximum clearance of 65' at Low tide. Our sailboat has 63.5 air draft. At half way rising tide, we approached very cautiously and we just squeaked under with only inches to spare. Be careful!

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Comment by: Shawn Murphy, Gradle, on Mar 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

This bridge is under construction and has a maximum height of 65 ft at low tide. It was a dead end for us with our 72 ft mast.

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Comment by: Oz Digennaro on Feb 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.6'

The new version (lift bridge) of the Southern Boulevard bridge, when opened is 65' or less. My air draft is 70' and a kind bridge tender steered me back. We'll be going outside to Boca Raton.

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Comment by: D. Slate on Oct 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 18.5'

Phone number listed out of service. Below is the phone number we received from another bridge operator (863) 224-5706

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Comment by: Joe Nord, Shamrock, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Traveled under this bridge June 22 2021 and construction is active. The old bridge lifts up and clearance when up is not marked. Bridge tender said 65 feet at LOW tide, my boat is 63 and has an antenna, made it (low tide), and didn't ding the antenna. Bascule bridge (new) on the south side is 1 span stuck down so when you're happy about clearing one bridge, you are not done, a high stress passage.

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Comment by: PaulFromRI on Dec 1, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Went through on November 24. It is indeed still a lift bridge with less than 14 feet when closed. The lift operator is very pleasant and helpful. The newer Draw bridge under construction has the west leaf in the down position so you will need to stay to the east side. Otherwise no real problems

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Comment by: JOHN KELLEY on Nov 13, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Was told the temporary lift was 65 at low tide. I cleared my 62.5 ft,but the new basqule being built has one side down as a fixed bridge. Only has half the channel clear.

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Comment by: Maurie Rosenberg, EXIT STRATEGY, on Dec 12, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.2'

CAUTION!!! This bridge is currently a lift bridge. It is NOT 65 feet! It is only 64 ft. Maximum at dead low tide! I just waited 3 hours at anchor northbound to clear by inches with 63.5 ft. mast. If rain has been heavy you could have less than that. If you need more you will need to go outside from Ft. Lauderdale unless you want to risk Boca or Hillsborough inlet to Lake Worth (Palm Beach) inlet. It was a very unpleasant and stressful surprise.

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Comment by: Charles Baltimore on Dec 8, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

I've never seen 14' of clearance when the bridge is closed (down) since it opened. You should plan on 10' at mean low water.

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Comment by: Capt Bill on May 5, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 99.9'

Southern Blvd bridge, new lift bridge (still under construction), now has a maximum vertical clearance. Unverified but I was told 65' clearance from low tide, yes "low tide". Trying to verify.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  According to documents we have read the vertical clearance for this new bridge is 21 feet at mean high water.

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