Jacksonville’s Main Street Bridge will be closed from 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25 at 6 a.m. and again Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights (June 26, 27, 29, and 30) from 6:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. and Wednesday night, June 28 from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. The closures are part of improvements to the mechanical, electrical and structural systems.
The bridge will remain in the down position from June 26 at 6:30 p.m. until June 28 at 6:45 a.m., and June 28, 29, and 30 at 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. Vessels are encouraged to check the Local Notice to Mariners from the United States Coast Guard for additional information. Boaters will be unable to request a bridge opening during this time, however the channel will remain open to smaller boats. The channel restrictions are necessary for crews to install a new wire rope which is used to raise and lower the movable bridge.
Both vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Acosta Bridge. Signs will direct traffic through the detour.
The improvements to the Main Street Bridge include the replacement of several major mechanical components, replacement of the entire electrical control system, replacement of the traffic gates, sidewalk gates, lightning protection system, and closed-circuit television cameras that give operators live views of traffic conditions. The work will include new heating and air conditioning units, water and sanitary sewer lines, and floor tile for the control house.
M & J Construction of Tarpon Springs was awarded the $10.7 million contract. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2017.
The Main Street Bridge is a vertical lift bridge and is raised and lowered approximately 1,400 times a year.