If you’re heading into downtown this week and typically drive, bike, or walk across the Main Street bridge, you’ll need to find an alternate route. The Main Street bridge is closed once again, disrupting the usual routine for many morning commuters.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled a full closure of the Main Street Bridge (State Road 5) from Monday, Aug. 11 through Saturday, Aug. 16, as part of a larger bridge rehabilitation project.
As kids head back-to-school this week and parents navigate the back-to-work traffic, here’s what you need to know about the Main Street Bridge closure — who’s impacted, who isn’t, and how to plan ahead.
Is the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge and the Main Street bridge the same bridge?
Yes, the Main Street Bridge, officially the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge and nicknamed the Blue Bridge, is a bridge crossing the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida.
Can I still drive over the Main Street bridge?
No. The Main bridge’s closure applies to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. However, boats and other marine traffic will not be affected by the closure.
Why is the Main Street bridge closed?
Crews will be performing a LiDAR (laser imaging, detection, and ranging) survey scan and a mechanical evaluation of the bridge. According to the FDOT, this advanced survey work is a key step in preparing for a major future project: the replacement of the bridge’s trunnion bearings.
How long is the Main Street bridge closed for?
The bridge will be closed Monday, Aug. 11, through Saturday, Aug. 16, as part of a larger bridge rehabilitation project.
What’s a trunnion?
The trunnion bearings are critical components that allow the bridge to pivot open and closed. Replacing them is no small task. The findings from this week’s work will help engineers design and plan for that replacement project.
When will the trunnion replacement project start on the Main Street bridge?
The trunnion replacement project is expected to take place in early 2028. That future project will also require a full bridge closure at that time.
What should drivers do during the Main Street bridge closure?
How long is the Main Street bridge in Jacksonville, FL?
The Main Street bridge, officially known as the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge is 1,680 feet (510 m) long.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Why is the Main Street bridge closed again? Here’s what to expect and when it will reopen
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
