News In The Bridge World

Main Street Bridge Reopens to Vehicles, Locked Down After Overnight Boat Collision-Jacksonville, FL – August 19, 2025—In the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, Jacksonville's iconic Main Street Bridge—officially known as the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge—was struck by a tugboat, causing damage that locked the lift span in the down position. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the bridge was closed around 2:30 a.m. and remained inaccessible for vehicles for at least six hours. Just before 7 a.m., the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) confirmed the bridge had reopened to vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic following a thorough assessment. However, maritime travel remains halted until necessary repairs are complete. FDOT officials reported that the collision with the tugboat damaged vital electrical components essential to operating the bridge's lift mechanism. This malfunction necessitated locking the structure in a fixed down position to ensure safe passage for motorists. Unfortunately, this also means taller vessels cannot currently navigate under the span. This incident comes hot on the heels of recent maintenance: the bridge had just reopened last Friday at noon after a week-long inspection and minor work. At that time, traffic was rerouted via the Acosta Bridge, underscoring the Main Street Bridge’s importance in the region's transportation network. Further highlighting the bridge’s significance, the U.S. Coast Guard identified the vessel involved as a “123-foot oceanographic research vessel” that struck of the bridge’s span. FDOT’s preliminary inspection did not offer a repair cost estimate or a timeline for full restoration of maritime lift operations. ________________________________________ What This Means for the Movable Bridge Community •Vehicle Access Restored, But Limits Remain The bridge is once again serving drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—critical for daily commuting and connectivity across the St. Johns River. •Marine Navigation Disrupted Since the vertical lift cannot operate, taller ships are temporarily barred from passing under, potentially affecting traffic and operations along the river. •Uncertain Repair Timeline FDOT has noted that specialized components are required for repairs; it may take several weeks before the lift can function again. •Context of Recent Maintenance The bridge endured a recent closure for inspections and minor repairs, with this collision following only days after reopening—a reminder of the complex upkeep vertical-lift bridges demand. ________________________________________ Bridge Background: The Blue Icon of Jacksonville Constructed between 1938 and 1941, the Main Street Bridge is a steel vertical-lift structure spanning the St. Johns River. Renamed for former mayor John T. Alsop Jr. in 1957, it remains one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable landmarks. At 1,680 feet long and 58 feet wide, it carries four lanes of traffic as part of US 1/US 90 (SR 5/SR 10), plus pedestrian sidewalks. As of the mid-20th century, most of the city’s movable bridges were replaced with fixed spans—but the Main Street Bridge endures as the last operational lift span for automobile traffic in the region. ________________________________________ Looking Ahead For those tracking the status of vertical-lift bridge operations, FDOT remains the source for updates on repair progress, estimated timelines, and implications for both vehicular and marine traffic.

Two historic drawbridges at the Jersey Shore—one along Route 71 and the other at Dorset Avenue—are currently out of service, causing rippling effects for both vehicular traffic and marine navigation. Both bridges, constructed during the 1930s, are cracking under the weight of age-related wear and outdated mechanisms. ________________________________________ Route 71 Drawbridge: Stuck Open •Status: Permanently open—halting vehicular access. •Impact: Commuters, school buses, and route-dependent emergency vehicles face detours, adding miles and delays to travel. •Technical cause: Preliminary reports point to a gearbox and motor failure; the sealed gearbox (over 50 years old) has seized. The original manufacturer exists but declines involvement. Engineering implications: •Repair requires splitting the sealed gearbox, diagnosing wear-and-tear, sourcing replacement parts (potentially custom or obsolete), and installing a new motor. •Monmouth County is considering alternative gearbox designs alongside refurbishment to ensure redundancy—a proactive approach to prevent future outages. ________________________________________ Dorset Avenue Bridge: Frozen Closed, Boats Stranded •Status: Permanently closed—trapping marine traffic. •Effect: Some boaters cannot exit to open waters; commercial and recreational vessels are marooned. •Underlying causes: Aging lifting machinery and potential mechanical failure—likely gearbox or motor issues. ________________________________________ Shared Challenges & Key Concerns 1.Historical Design vs. Operational Demand Both bridges rely on outdated components. While aesthetically and historically significant, such systems struggle under modern usage and standards. 2.Parts Availability & Specialized Repair The gearbox on the Route 71 bridge is sealed and obsolete. Repair requires expert disassembly and evaluation, complex sourcing, and possibly reverse engineering of components. 3.Regulatory & Preservation Oversight These structures are older than many standard codes. Any replacement or renovation must navigate historic preservation laws, involving approvals from state and federal authorities—extending timelines and complicating procurement. 4.Risk of Cascading Failures Lack of redundancy (no backup gearing or motors) means single-point failures can halt entire operations unexpectedly. This vulnerability underscores the necessity for design reassessment and modernization. ________________________________________ Roads Ahead: Rehabilitation vs. Replacement •Rehabilitation: oPros: Lower disruption to bridge aesthetics; lower initial capital outlay; easier approval within preservation frameworks. oCons: May require repeated custom engineering, ongoing maintenance, and persistent mechanical fragility. •Replacement: oPros: Opportunity to install modern, reliable lifting mechanisms with materials designed for high-cycle use and redundancy; improved reliability and potentially lower lifetime cost. oCons: High upfront costs (potentially tens of millions); longer permitting, design, and construction phases; potential public resistance over loss of historic character. These failures spotlight the fragility of aged movable bridge infrastructure. For engineers and contractors, the issues on Route 71 and Dorset Avenue offer a compelling case study in balancing historical preservation with the demand for resilient, serviceable infrastructure. Solutions that combine selective modernization with respect for historic design may prove optimal—supporting community needs and safeguarding transit continuity.

FDOT Project 445834-1: Movable Bridge Rehab on Walsingham Road Florida DOT District 7’s 445834-1 project focuses on the rehabilitation of both spans of the Indian Rock Causeway — a movable bridge on Walsingham Road in Pinellas County. The work encompasses structural reinforcement, mechanical/operational system upgrades, and other safety enhancements essential for long-term resilience. Project Highlights: · Location: Westbound & Eastbound Indian Rock Causeway · Scope: Structural repairs & mechanical system updates · Estimated Cost: $2.08 million · Current Status: Design phase complete; now moving forward with contractor bid preparation What Happens Next? 1. Release of bid documents – FDOT will publish detailed requirements for qualified contractors. 2. Bid submission window – Interested firms will have a set period to submit proposals. 3. Contract award – FDOT evaluates bids based on cost, experience, and ability to maintain traffic flow during construction. 4. Construction kickoff – With a contract awarded, work is expected to launch in 2025 or 2026. Why It Matters The Indian Rock Causeway is a vital link for daily commuters, local businesses, and emergency vehicles. This rehabilitation ensures: · Enhanced safety for motorists and pedestrians · Continued mechanical reliability for bridge operations · Extended service life and reduced need for major future overhauls --- Stay Updated Bookmark this page or subscribe to email future alerts.

Beckett Bridge (Tarpon Springs, FL) – Rolling-Lift Replacement Location: Riverside Drive/North Spring Boulevard over Whitcomb Bayou, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County, Florida Built in 1924 and repeatedly repaired (1956, 1979, 1998, 2011), the single-leaf rolling-lift Beckett Bridge has deteriorated significantly. Load restrictions currently bar school buses and heavy trucks, and its overall condition is rated “poor” with a sufficiency rating of just 44.9/100. Design & Approval - Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study: Conducted 2012–2016 by FDOT District 7 and FHWA; design approval granted in January 2016 under NEPA. - Designer: The detailed engineering design was led by H&H, based in Tampa. They're responsible for structures and roadway plans, and have shaped the new bridge’s improvements and aesthetic integration. New Bridge Features - Bridge Type: Two-lane single-leaf rolling-lift bascule. - Dimensions & Clearances: - 10-ft travel lanes - 6.5-ft shoulders (allowing for future bike lanes) - 6-ft sidewalks both sides - 7.8-ft vertical and 25-ft horizontal navigational clearance - Roadway Profile: Bridge to be 19 ft wider than existing, total width 47.2 ft; improved ADA profiles on approaches. Historic & Community Context - Historic Mitigation: Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places; SHPO and FHWA required a Historic Memorandum of Agreement. H&H worked alongside an aesthetics committee (local reps, Tarpon Springs Historical Society, FHWA) to preserve character through design details and plaque salvage. - Community Coordination: Public outreach through design workshops and advisory committees, with FDOT and H&H presenting renderings and plans. Funding - Overall Project Cost: ~US $22.5 million - Sources: $3.7 million in state funding, supplemented by Penny for Pinellas and impact/utility fees. - Utility Work: City of Tarpon Springs relocating pipelines in 2025 to prepare for construction. Timeline - Early 2025: Utility relocation work begins. - Winter 2025/early 2026: Construction kickoff; projected duration ~2 years. - By 2027: Completion of new bridge including all structural, mechanical, and aesthetic components. Why This Deserves Spotlight on Movable Bridge Resource - Design Leadership: H&H brings deep experience in bridging historic design and modern compliance—offering technical readers insight into balancing form and function. - Community-Driven Engineering: H&H’s collaborative efforts with the aesthetics committee highlight best practices in public engagement for heritage-sensitive movable span projects. - Technical Transparency: The article provides clarity on structural enhancements, roadway integration, and design firm objectives. Key Takeaways - The project represents a thoughtfully designed replacement—not merely a technical fix—retaining the rolling-lift mechanism while meeting modern safety, accessibility, and navigational standards. - H&H's leadership in design integrity and historical coordination elevates the project beyond functional replacement, setting a benchmark for similar movable bridge efforts. - As construction progresses, Movable Bridge Resource will serve as a key repository for design progress, aesthetic choices, stakeholder commentary, and site photos—providing rich, ongoing insight into H&H’s engineering approach.

On the evening of May 17, 2025, a catastrophic maritime accident unfolded in New York City when the Mexican Navy's training ship, ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident resulted in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to at least 19 others. The ship, carrying 277 individuals, was departing from the South Street Seaport en route to Iceland as part of a global goodwill tour when it lost power and drifted into the bridge. The Collision At approximately 8:26 p.m. EDT, the Cuauhtémoc experienced a mechanical failure that caused it to reverse uncontrollably into the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship's three towering masts, each reaching up to 147 feet, struck the underside of the bridge, snapping upon impact. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as sailors clung to the rigging, with some falling or hanging precariously from the damaged structures. Casualties and Injuries The collision claimed the lives of two crew members, including cadet América Yamilet Sánchez from Veracruz, Mexico. At least 19 others sustained injuries, with four reported in serious condition. Emergency response teams, including the NYPD, FDNY, and U.S. Coast Guard, swiftly initiated search and rescue operations, ensuring all individuals were accounted for. Aftermath and Investigation Following the incident, the Cuauhtémoc was towed to Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan for assessment and repairs. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure. Preliminary reports suggest that the ship lost power while reversing from Pier 17, leading to the collision. Despite the severity of the crash, the New York City Department of Transportation reported no significant structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, which reopened to traffic shortly after inspections were completed. Official Responses Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and thanked New York City officials for their prompt response. The Mexican Navy has suspended the Cuauhtémoc's training cruise and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Conclusion The collision between the ARM Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a somber reminder of the potential dangers inherent in maritime navigation, especially in densely trafficked urban waterways. As investigations continue, authorities aim to uncover the precise causes of the mechanical failure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.