Nearly three miles in length, the current Pensacola Bay Bridge is the second structure constructed to connect downtown Pensacola to Gulf Breeze.

Up until the 1930s, travel to Gulf Breeze required either a ferry ride across the bay, or a lengthy drive through the interiors of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Beginning in the mid-1920s, local officials began planning the development of a bridge across the bay coinciding with the state governments expansion of Highway 98 leading to Fort Walton Beach.

The Pensacola Bridge Company was awarded the contract for construction and work began in 1927. The state's plans for Highway 98 stalled and investors in the bridge feared little use by citizens. To encourage using the toll bridge, a second smaller bridge was constructed from Gulf Breeze to Santa Rosa Island where the company also built a series of entertainment facilities for beach goers.

The Pensacola Bay Bridge opened on amidst large crowds and celebration on June 13, 1931 and was dedicated by Florida Governor Leroy Collins. The total cost was $2.5 million dollars and motorists were initially charged a toll to help defray the cost of construction.

The original bridge saw use until 1962 when the current structure was completed. The 1931 bridge was still used as a fishing pier until 2004 when severe damage from Hurricane Ivan forced it to close permanentness.

Narrative Written by Tim Roberts