NASA Causeway | |
|---|---|
 Visitors Complex from NASA Causeway | |
| Coordinates | 28°31′39″N80°46′15″W / 28.527576°N 80.770902°W /28.527576; -80.770902 |
| Carries | CR 405 |
| Locale | Brevard County, Florida |
| Location | |
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TheNASA Causeway, is an east–westexpressway inBrevard County, Florida, containing two causeways. The first causeway connects the Floridamainland toMerritt Island and later, over the private second causeway, connects Merritt Island toCape Canaveral. As such, the NASA Causeway is the main route connecting points of interest inTitusville, Florida to theKennedy Space Center on Merritt Island.
The first causeway begins on the mainland when Columbia Boulevard crosses U.S. Route 1 in Titusville and experiences a name change. This is also the terminus ofState Road 405. Continuing eastward, NASA Causeway crosses theIndian River Lagoon. Abascule bridge permitted boats on theIntracoastal Waterway to pass through the causeway, previous to construction of the new high rise span.
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On June 9, 2023, a new eastbound high rise span opened, 125 days ahead of schedule. This span served four lane two way traffic until completion of the westbound high rise span. Prior to commencement of construction of the westbound span, both existing bascule bridge spans were torn down.[1] On March 19, 2025, the new westbound high rise span opened, 6 months ahead of schedule.[2]
Continuing eastward, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km), it enters theMerritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and theJohn F. Kennedy Space Center. About 2 miles (3.2 km) in,[3] the road reaches an intersection with Space Commerce Way. The majority of traffic on NASA Parkway turns here, as the main entrance to the Kennedy Space Center is located down this road.[4] At this point, theMerritt Islandpeninsula is at its widest and about 7 miles (11 km) wide.
East of Space Commerce Way, the Parkway passes the former main gate of theKennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The general public is not permitted beyond this point. Approximately 0.6 miles (0.97 km) east of the Visitor Complex, a NASA security gate permits access to authorized tour buses andKennedy Space Center staff and supply vehicles only. Immediately east of the gate, the Parkway contains adiamond interchange with Courtenay Parkway, the division line between the western and eastern portions of the Parkway.
Tour buses reach theVehicle Assembly Building, theApollo/Saturn V Center and theSpace Shuttle landing strip by journeying north from this point on Kennedy Parkway.[5]
The eastern section of the NASA Parkway begins at its intersection with Courtenay Parkway[note 1] in the former town of Orsino, Florida. Traveling east, it passes an area of support buildings and offices. At the end of this area, it reduces from four lanes to two and crosses theBanana River as a two-lane causeway with abascule bridge.
The causeway over the Banana River is less known than the first causeway, as it is not accessible to the general public. The main use of the causeway is for military personnel to reach the mainland, as the route leads from Merritt Island toCape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The NASA Parkway designation ends shortly after the NASA Causeway's eastern end, where the parkway terminates at theSamuel C Philips Parkway. From this point, authorized users can reach the point ofCape Canaveral via Central Control Road. TheCape Canaveral Light is visible, and, via Lighthouse Road, authorized users can reachLaunch Complex 46.
While the NASA Parkway is the principal access route for tourists from Titusville and points west (such asOrlando, Florida), visitors from points to the south, such asCocoa Beach, Florida need not use NASA Parkway West to cross the Indian River. Instead, they may approach the Kennedy Space Center from the south on Florida State Route 3, which terminates at the Kennedy Space Center property line. Diverted by a security gate, the general public must turn left on Space Commerce Way and reach the Visitor Complex directly from the main gate.
28°31′39″N80°46′15″W / 28.5275764°N 80.7709017°W /28.5275764; -80.7709017