The Barron Collier Bridge is a bridge in Charlotte County, Florida that crosses the Peace River connecting Punta Gorda, Florida and Port Charlotte, Florida. It is 45 feet tall and carries two northbound lanes of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail). The southbound lanes cross the river on the adjacent Gilchrist Bridge. It was named for Barron G. Collier, a wealthy Southwest Florida land owner and entrepreneur.HistoryThe first bridge built across the Peace River in Charlotte County was built in 1921 in anticipation of the construction of the Tamiami Trail and was known as the Charlotte Harbor Bridge. It was located just east of the Barron Collier Bridge, running from Live Oak Point on the north bank of the river to Nesbit Street in Punta Gorda (near where the Laishley Park fishing pier stands). The Charlotte Harbor Bridge became part of the Tamiami Trail, which was fully completed in 1928. After the trail was completed, it was determined that the Charlotte Harbor Bridge was insufficient for the needs of the Tamiami Trail because of poor construction and its lanes were too narrow.Barron G. Collier, who owned the Hotel Charlotte Harbor, was one of the main proponents of building a new bridge for the Tamiami Trail. Work began on the original Barron Collier Bridge in December 1929. The original Barron Collier Bridge was built a block east of the Charlotte Harbor Bridge at King Street (right next to Collier's hotel). The construction of the bridge necessitated the demolition of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad’s dock at King Street, as well as its original passenger depot. The railroad built a new passenger depot on Taylor Road as a result, which still stands today.
