One of the most iconic landmarks on the First Coast is under duress this week after a maritime mishap.
The Main Street Bridge in Jacksonville is being shut down periodically over the next several days as Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials are inspecting the elevator span in downtown.
The bridge crossing the St. Johns River in the center of the city was struck by a boat about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. While there was no immediate observable structural damage, FDOT officials are now conducting wide-scale and thorough testing on the bridge. The span will be closed at various times heading into the weekend.
“The closures are necessary for crews to complete their evaluation of the electrical system, which was damaged by a vessel during the early morning hours of Aug. 19. The closures will also permit contractors to assess the structure and place bids on the repair, in accordance with state law,” an FDOT press release said Wednesday.
The Main Street Bridge is an elevator “lift” span that raises the middle section of the crossing to allow taller vessels to pass underneath. It’s a rare style of elevator bridge similar to a draw span, but literally lifts the middle section of the roadway crossing to the top of two towers on the blue-painted bridge. The span is the centerpiece for many of Jacksonville’s logos, photos and civic images with the downtown skyline behind it.
Coincidentally, the bridge was closed for most of last week for routine inspections by FDOT officials because of all the unusual mechanisms, cables and elevator apparatus parts. It passed those inspections, and the bridge was reopened for only a few days until the tug vessel slammed into one of the abutments to the span.
The U.S. Coast Guard characterized the vessel as a “123-foot oceanographic research vessel,” according to a First Coast News report.
While vehicle traffic crossing the bridge will be impeded at different times, vessel traffic on the river among taller vessels will not be able to pass under that point of the span, as the elevator section will remain locked down until the inspections are completed.
“Crews identified damaged electrical components, requiring the bridge to remain in the locked-down position and preventing it from opening for marine traffic. The bridge remains available for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The preliminary assessment did not include a complete cost estimate for the electrical damage caused by the vessel’s impact, and a timeline for repair remains unavailable at this time,” FDOT officials said.
It is not clear when the bridge will be able to be raised again in its elevated position to allow tall vessels to pass under it, the FDOT officials added.
Post Views: 0