If you’ve moved to the east central Florida coast from hillier terrain and require some workout elevation, local bridges are your solution.
The Daytona Beach area offers five tall, multiple-lane bridges across the Intracoastal Waterway. Each bridge’s height guarantees huffing and puffing without drawbridge interruptions, and one bonus of incorporating a bridge into your cardio routine is the splendid views.
It’s hard to top the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. And, depending which bridge you’re climbing, glance north or south and you’ll spot at least one other Daytona Beach-area high bridge.
Remember to be aware of automotive traffic when you cross a bridge, regardless of its designated bicycle lanes or protected sidewalks.
From north to south, here’s our workout guide to Daytona Beach-area bridges.
The Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach
Heading east, Granada Avenue (State Road 40) takes you through Ormond Beach’s lovely little downtown area before you begin climbing the bridge. Once on beachside, Granada Avenue dead-ends a few blocks later at the beach and A1A, Florida’s Atlantic Coast highway.
This bridge gets bonus points for facilities. You can park in Cassen Park on the mainland side, or in Fortunato Park on the beachside.
The Seabreeze Bridges in Daytona Beach
These are two side-by-side high bridges. One span carries eastbound lanes to A1A and Daytona Beach’s Seabreeze community. The other carries west-bound lanes to the mainland. Heading east on Mason Avenue (State Road 430), you’ll fork right on the southern span (Oakridge Boulevard) to go to the beach. You’ll return west on the northern span (Seabreeze Avenue).
On the beach side, Seabreeze Bridge Park sits below the west-bound span and contains a small parking lot.
The Broadway Bridge in Daytona Beach
This bridge carries U.S. Highway 92 — also International Speedway Boulevard — over the Halifax River and into the heart of the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” On the mainland said, the historic Beach Street area offers plenty of parking spots and places to refuel with food or drink.
The Broadway Bridge (better known as “ISB Bridge”) might be the area’s most aesthetically pleasing high bridge. Because it’s the main thoroughfare to Daytona Beach, its sidewalk walls are decorated with murals of sea life.
Underneath, the bridge’s huge support pillars are encircled with tile mosaics of dolphins, manatees and other creatures. They’re easily admired at boat level.
Port Orange Causeway
It’s popularly known as the Port Orange Bridge or the Dunlawton Bridge, and carries Dunlawton Avenue over to A1A from the town of Port Orange, 4.5 miles south of Daytona Beach.
Like the “ISB” bridge, the Port Orange bridge also has a formal name — Congressman William V. Chappel Jr. Memorial Bridge.
One perk of this bridge — very popular with runners, walkers and cyclists — is the Port Orange Causeway Park that sits adjacent to it. The park offers parking, fishing and boating access.
The South Causeway Bridge in New Smyrna Beach
This one is approximately 14.5 miles south of Daytona Beach, or 10 miles south of Port Orange. New Smyrna Beach’s signature high bridge stretches over the Indian River North and funnels State Road 44 traffic to and from beaches and the north end of the Canaveral National Seashore.
Its views encompass lovely riverfront homes and vast mangrove islands and marshes. The South Causeway Bridge also has a formal name — the Harris M. Saxon Bridge — in honor of a former Volusia County commissioner.
bonus of incorporating a bridge into your cardio routine is the splendid views.
