Discussion about the proposed Bridge over the Strait continues, with Minister Salvini firmly convinced of the multiple advantages it could bring to the Italian economy.
Meanwhile, controversy rages on, while on the other side of the world, there is a 180 km long floating road that crosses 44 islands.
There is much to learn, even though this particular road is not (solely) the result of state funding but rather the commitment of a private entrepreneur to improve connections to their hotel facilities.
A bona fide floating highway, the Overseas Highway traverses 44 islands of the United States, connecting the archipelago of islands south of Florida – the Florida Keys – to the mainland.
Besides its practical utility, this floating road is truly scenic, a point of attraction for tourists and providing spectacular backdrops in many movies.
The Overseas Highway is indisputably an engineering masterpiece, allowing for convenient travel to the nearby archipelago without the need for long boat journeys.
It all began with Henry Morrison Flagler (often referred to as “The father of modern Florida”) founding the Standard Oil Company in 1870 with tycoon John D.
Rockefeller.
Flagler was immediately struck by Florida’s tourism potential, starting the construction of luxury resorts.
Florida, known as the sunniest state in the U.S., was an excellent investment for Flagler, who, however, encountered a significant obstacle: difficulties in reaching the resorts.
Hence, the idea of a floating railroad (even before a highway) was born, gradually evolving into the mammoth infrastructure visible today.
With a substantial investment in railways, Flagler connected Florida’s Atlantic coast to Miami in 1885 and then decided to expand the project in 1905, inspired by the construction of the Panama Canal.
After numerous challenges, including three hurricanes causing the death of over a hundred workers, an expenditure of over a billion and a half dollars (in today’s currency), and over 4,000 migrant workers laboring in hazardous conditions, the railroad was completed in 1912.
It is said that at its inauguration, Flagler confessed to a friend, “Now I can die happy.
My dream has come true.”
Flagler’s railroad was active until 1935, when a new hurricane severely compromised it, prompting the government to renovate it and transform it into a floating road, better aligned with the dominance of cars as a means of transportation.
The road was raised on Flagler’s elevated bridges, becoming the longest floating road in the world, capable of withstanding winds up to 320 kilometers per hour.
Today, the highway still features 20 original bridges, taking travelers from Miami to Key West.
The journey takes about four hours to complete, but those who have visited recommend taking your time to fully appreciate this architectural masterpiece.
The first stop is at Key Largo, renowned for its abundant marine life and biodiversity.
Key Largo is also home to the “Christ of the Deep” statue, a majestic nearly 3-meter bronze statue depicting Jesus Christ, serving as a landmark for history, art, and scuba diving enthusiasts.
Overall, the floating highway, an attraction in itself, allows tourists and locals to move agilely between territories, reaching the wonders of the area and enjoying the encounter with a multitude of landscapes along the journey.
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