The original Matanzas Pass Bridge was a small wooden drawbridge built in 1921.

This same hurricane also separated what is now San Carlos Island from the mainland, making the road impassible.

San Carlos Boulevard was also constructed at this time as a more direct route to replace the original road.

An electric motor was installed on the bridge in 1950 due to the area's rapidly growing shrimping industry, which caused the span to be opened frequently.

This concern led to the construction of Bonita Beach Causeway at the southern end of the island in 1965.

[3][4] The current bridge is a 65 foot tall fixed span to accommodate the area's large shrimping vessels without disrupting traffic.