The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will provide off-duty police officers needed to help the Florida Department of Transportation implement the Mathews Bridge reversal plan. The plan is currently scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Starting May 3, 2007 the westbound side of the Mathews Bridge will close at 2:30 p.m. for approximately one-half hour. During that time the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will assist the FDOT in moving the barricades so that drivers will be able to cross the Mathews Bridge traveling eastbound from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The reversal will open all of the arteries that allow traffic to flow east bound on the Mathews Bridge.   These arteries include: Gator Bowl Boulevard, Martin Luther King Expressway, and the Union Street Expressway. As cars approach the top of the span, traffic will transition onto to the left (wrong) side of the bridge traveling eastbound and then transition back to the right (correct) side of the Arlington Expressway across from Jones College.

At 7 p.m. JSO will assist in closing the bridge and moving the barricades back into position for traffic traveling westbound on the Mathews Bridge.

Travelers who normally use the Arlington Expressway to cross over the St. Johns River westbound from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be routed through the designated Hart Bridge Detour starting at Cesery Blvd. or may choose to use any other westbound artery.

The reversal will only be in effect for four hours a day, Monday thru Friday.  At all other times, the original Mathews Bridge Detour plan remains in affect.

"We are committed to supporting the FDOT and to providing the officers needed to make the Mathews Bridge Reversal safe for the drivers," says Steve Weintraub, Chief of JSO's Community Affairs and Special Events division.  

For further information specific to the bridge reversal, alternate routes leading away from downtown, and complete project information please contact Mike Goldman, Public Information Officer Florida Department of Transportation, 904-360-5457. 

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