Suwanee Springs Bridge (The Bridge to Nowhere)

The Suwanee River is a 246 mile-long wild blackwater river that flows from South Georgia into Florida. Suwanee Springs Bridge is just one of several bridges in Live Oak, Florida, that crosses over this scenic river. 

Suwanee Springs Bridge was built in 1931 by the Austin Brothers Bridge Company of Dallas, Texas.  The design is a Parker through truss with riveted connections and a long series of concrete t-beams; it spans 160 feet over the river.  The bridge was bypassed by a new bridge in 1971, and is one of two abandoned bridges in the area that remain open for foot and bike traffic.

What makes Suwanee Springs Bridge–also referred to by locals as The Bridge to Nowhere–unique is that over the past decade or so, it has become an ever-changing canvas for graffiti.  The graffiti ranges from pictures of various pop culture characters, inspirational messages, declarations of love, commemorations of personal events, and, most often, tagging of names.  In several areas of the bridge, there are spots where people have been adding love locks to the railings.  

If you’re ever in the area, whether to visit one of the nearby natural springs, historic state parks, or for hiking along the Florida Trail (which crosses directly beneath the end of this bridge), this is definitely worth adding to your list of places to seek out.  If you’re feeling artistic or have a message to share, be sure to bring your own cans of paint and leave something for the next visitor to admire.