John E. Mathews Bridge
NBI Information
Location
State: Florida
County: Duval County
Feature Carried: SR-10A
Feature Crossed: St. Johns River and Alt US-1
Latitude, Longitude: 30.3272,-81.6225
Toll: On free road
Maintenance Responsibility: State Highway Agency
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open, no restriction
History
Year Built: 1953
Historical Significance: Bridge is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Year Reconstructed: None
Picture Date: May 14 and 15, 2026
Geometry
Lanes on Structure: 4
Lanes under Structure: 12
Skew: 0 degrees
Number of Main Spans: 6
Main Structure Type: Truss - Thru
Main Structure Material: Steel Continuous
Number of Approach Spans: 59
Approach Structure Type: Girder and Floorbeam System
Approach Structure Material: Steel
Condition
Inspection Date: March 2024
Deck Condition: Fair
Superstructure Condition: Fair
Substructure Condition: Satisfactory
Channel Condition: Satisfactory
Culvert: Not Applicable
NBI Year: 2025
Bridge Information
The John E. Mathews Bridge, commonly referred to as the Mathews Bridge, was opened on April 15, 1953. The bridge is a cantilevered Warren truss bridge across the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. It has an unusual appearance, as the truss spans are not symmetrical. The 810-foot cantilevered main span truss is flanked by two continuous span trusses which are arched over the piers. The east approach has an additional 3 through arch spans that are not mirrored on the east approach.
The bridge was originally built with a steel grating deck. This grating was replaced in 1999, and drivers began complaining that the new grating was slippery and causing accidents. In 2006, FDOT scoffed up the grating to add more traction, but was unsuccessful. In 2007 the grating was replaced with a solid concrete deck, which eliminated the safety concerns.
In 2013, a Navy cargo vessel struck the center span and damaged the steel structure. The bridge was closed for over a month while the bridge was repaired. It was later determined that the posted clearance for the bridge was incorrect, and the posting was lowered by 6 feet.
The bridge is named after John E. Mathews, who was a Florida state legislator and Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
References
Archaeological Consultants, Inc. “The Historic Highway Bridges of Florida.” Florida Department of Transportation, Dec. 2012, https://www.fdot.gov/docs/default-source/environment/pubs/Historic-Highway-Bridges-of-Florida-2010-Update.pdf. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
Goldman, Mike. “The Mathews Bridge: Historic or an Expensive Relic?” The Jaxson, 27 Sept. 2019, https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/the-mathews-bridge-historic-or-an-expensive-relic/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
Bliss, Alan. “When It Comes to the Mathews Bridge, Jacksonville’s Future Matters More Than Its Past.” The Florida Times-Union, 14 Aug. 2024, https://www.jacksonville.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2024/08/14/history-doesnt-matter-when-it-comes-to-jacksonvilles-mathews-bridge/74779902007/. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.
