NW 5th Street Bridge
Live status of NW 5th Street Bridge updates in real time in the IsBridgeUp app; typical patterns are below.
Opening schedule
The draw opens on signal at any time, except during weekday rush-hour curfews — Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 7:35–8:59 AM and 4:45–5:59 PM — when it stays closed to vessels.
Regulation: 33 CFR 117.305(b)
Monthly opening statistics — June 2026
Openings by hour of day (ET)
Based on 22 days with FL511 data in June 2026.
Vessel traffic — June 2026
By vessel type
- Recreational1059
- Towing / tug601
- Passenger119
- Cargo / tanker124
- Other / unknown11
Counts include AIS-broadcasting vessels only; actual vessel traffic is higher.
About the bridge
The NW 5th Street Bridge opened to traffic on April 1, 2010, replacing a bascule that had stood since 1925. The original was one of six movable Miami River bridges designed around that year by Howard, Harrington & Ash, a predecessor of the engineering firm HNTB. By the end of its life the old bridge had become a hazard to navigation — its leaves did not fully clear the channel, and it was struck by vessels seventeen times over its final thirty-five years. Two collisions in the summer of 2005 left it locked in the open position and hastened its replacement. The current double-leaf bascule carries State Road 7 and is owned by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Physical characteristics
| Vertical clearance, closed (MHW) | 12 ft |
| Bridge type | double-leaf bascule |
| Year built | 2010 |
| Owner | Florida DOT (FDOT) |
| VHF channel (bridge tender) | Ch 9 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is NW 5th Street Bridge open right now?
- NW 5th Street Bridge opens and closes for vessel traffic throughout the day. Live status is available on this page and updates in real time in the IsBridgeUp app.
- How often does NW 5th Street Bridge open?
- In June 2026, NW 5th Street Bridge opened 774 times — about 35.2 openings per day, with an average opening lasting 10.2 minutes.
- What is the opening schedule for NW 5th Street Bridge?
- The draw opens on signal at any time, except during weekday rush-hour curfews — Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 7:35–8:59 AM and 4:45–5:59 PM — when it stays closed to vessels.
- What is the vertical clearance of NW 5th Street Bridge?
- The vertical clearance in the closed position is approximately 12 ft at mean high water. Vessels requiring more clearance need an opening.
- Do I need to request an opening?
- Vessels that cannot pass under the closed span signal the bridge tender for an opening, as provided by US Coast Guard drawbridge regulations (33 CFR Part 117).
Nearby drawbridges
- Next covered bridge downstream: West Flagler Street Bridge
- Next covered bridge upstream: NW 12th Avenue Bridge
- All Florida drawbridges →
Know before you go
IsBridgeUp shows live drawbridge status, opening patterns, and vessel radar — free in your browser, no install needed.
Open the app