What are Jacksonville's longest, tallest bridges? Facts about the city's 7 bridges

Gary T. Mills, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Updated ·3 min read
Downtown Jacksonville's Main Street Bridge, foreground, and Acosta Bridge are two of the city's seven bridges that span the St. Johns River.
Downtown Jacksonville's Main Street Bridge, foreground, and Acosta Bridge are two of the city's seven bridges that span the St. Johns River.
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From the Dames Point to the Buckman, Jacksonville's seven bridges over the St. Johns River connect the neighborhoods of the city's vast Northside, Southside, Westside and beyond.

They're part of our daily commute to work downtown. They're part of our escape to Jacksonville's Beaches for weekend fun. And for some, they're part of a daily run or walk.

Some have sidewalks and bicycle paths. Some have dramatic lighting. And at least one is part of the city's major fireworks displays each Fourth of July, Thanksgiving weekend and New Year's Eve.

Here's what you should know about each of Jacksonville's seven bridges.

How safe are Jacksonville's bridges? See our database of bridge inspections

Dames Point Bridge

The Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Norwegian Gem heads west down the St. Johns River as it passes under the Dames Point Bridge on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
The Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Norwegian Gem heads west down the St. Johns River as it passes under the Dames Point Bridge on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

  • Official name: Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge

  • Type: Continuous prestressed concrete cable-stayed bridge

  • Total length: 10,646 feet

  • Width: 106 feet

  • Height: 471 feet

  • Longest span: 1,300 feet

  • Clearance, below: 175 feet

  • Construction start: 1985

  • Bridge opened: March 10, 1989

  • Daily traffic (2022): 84,321

  • Roadway: I-295

  • Designed by: HNTB Corporation

  • Builder: Massman Construction Company

Mathews Bridge

The Mathews Bridge, viewed from the Arlington side of the St. Johns River, is shown on Monday, September 23, 2019.
The Mathews Bridge, viewed from the Arlington side of the St. Johns River, is shown on Monday, September 23, 2019.

  • Official name: John E. Mathews Bridge

  • Type: Cantilever bridge

  • Total length: 7,376 feet

  • Width: 58 feet

  • Longest span: 810 feet

  • Clearance, below: 146 feet

  • Construction start: 1952

  • Bridge opened: April 15, 1953

  • Daily traffic (2022): 72,000

  • Roadway: Arlington Expressway (US 90 Alt)

Hart Bridge

The Hart Bridge is shown on Saturday, November 2, 2019.
The Hart Bridge is shown on Saturday, November 2, 2019.

  • Official name: Isaiah David Hart Bridge

  • Type: Continuous truss bridge

  • Total length: 3,844 feet

  • Width: 65 feet

  • Longest span: 1,088 feet

  • Clearance, below: 141 feet

  • Bridge opened: Nov. 2, 1967

  • Daily traffic (2022): 37,000

  • Roadway: US 1Alt, Florida SR 228

Main Street Bridge

The Main Street Bridge is shown on Monday, February 14, 2022.
The Main Street Bridge is shown on Monday, February 14, 2022.

  • Official name: John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge

  • Type: Steel vertical lift bridge

  • Total length: 1,680 feet

  • Width: 58 feet

  • Longest span: 365 feet

  • Clearance, below: 35 feet, closed; 135 feet, open

  • Construction start: 1938

  • Bridge opened: July 17, 1941

  • Daily traffic (2022): 13,800

  • Roadway: Main Street (US 1, US 90)

  • Builder: Mount Vernon Bridge Company

Acosta Bridge

The Acosta Bridge's LED lighting system is illuminated with the colors of Ukraine's flag on Feb. 27, 2022, in support of the nation after Russia's invasion.
The Acosta Bridge's LED lighting system is illuminated with the colors of Ukraine's flag on Feb. 27, 2022, in support of the nation after Russia's invasion.

  • Official name: St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge

  • Type: Continuous prestressed concrete segmental box girder bridge

  • Total length: 1,645 feet

  • Width: 151.3 feet

  • Longest span: 630 feet

  • Clearance, below: 81 feet

  • Construction start: 1990

  • Bridge opened: August 1994

  • Daily traffic (2022): 29,000

  • Roadway: SR 13

Bridge closings: At what wind speed do Florida bridges shut down due to hurricane-force winds?

Fuller Warren Bridge

The Fuller Warren Bridge is shown on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
The Fuller Warren Bridge is shown on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

  • Official name: Fuller Warren Bridge

  • Type: Prestressed concrete girder bridge

  • Total length: 7,500 feet

  • Width: 8 general purpose lanes, 3 auxiliary lanes, shared use path

  • Longest span: 250 feet

  • Clearance, below: 75 feet

  • Bridge opened: Nov. 17, 2002

  • Daily traffic (2022): 170,000

  • Roadway: I-95

  • Designed by: HNTB Corporation

  • Builder: Balfour Beatty Construction

Buckman Bridge

  • Official name: Henry Holland Buckman Bridge

  • Type: Steel stringer/multi-beam girder bridge

  • Total length: 16,300 feet

  • Width: 35 feet per direction

  • Longest span: 250 feet

  • Clearance, below: 65 feet

  • Bridge opened: May 1, 1970 (expanded in mid 1990s)

  • Daily traffic (2022): 128,500

  • Roadway: I-295

When do Jacksonville bridges close during a hurricane?

Generally, when sustained winds reach 40 mph, bridges are closed to all traffic. (Read more)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What is Jacksonville's longest, tallest bridge? A look at the numbers