There are fewer and fewer swing bridges remaining, so I made a slight detour off I-10 to pass through downtown Milton and visit the bridge. Unlike bascule bridges (from the French term for balance scale) which lift one or more spans, swing or "twist" bridges rotate around a vertical axis to allow water traffic to pass. In Milton, the Blackwater River Swing Bridge only carries a single track of railroad traffic.
Spanning the Blackwater River, the bridge is believed to have been constructed around 1882. It is of the "through truss" design. It is easy to photograph from the park just to the north (upstream). Other views are rather overgrown and in Florida, near slow moving water, I wouldn't recommend trekking through it.
I was not able to catch the bridge opening despite handing out for short while though I did spot a train crossing the bridge. You'll hear the train whistle for a good few minutes as it has many crossings nearby. Early in the morning is best to catch the river at its smoothest for a good photo.
[Review 926 of 2024 - 1805 in Florida - 21955 overall] read more