Jump to content

Shands Bridge: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 29°59′00″N 81°37′00″W / 29.9833°N 81.6167°W / 29.9833; -81.6167
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m replace link to deleted Portal:Bridges with Portal:Transport + Portal:Infrastructure
 
(25 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Bridge in Florida, United States of America}}
{{short description|Bridge in Florida, United States of America}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Update|date=March 2016|First Coast Expressway and [[Florida State Road 23]]}}
{{Infobox Bridge
{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name=Shands Bridge|official_name=Alvin G. Shands Bridge
| bridge_name = Shands Bridge
| official_name = Alvin G. Shands Bridge
|image= Shands bridge 1.jpg
| image = Shands bridge 1.jpg
| image_size = 300px
|caption=Westbound on the Shands Bridge (2016)
| caption = Westbound on the Shands Bridge (2016)
|locale=[[Green Cove Springs, Florida]]
| locale = [[Green Cove Springs, Florida]]
|carries=2 general purpose lanes ([[Florida State Road 16|SR 16]]))
| carries = 2 general purpose lanes ([[Florida State Road 16|SR 16]])
|crosses=[[St. Johns River]]
| crosses = [[St. Johns River]]
|id=780056
| id = 780056
|maint=[[Florida Department of Transportation]]
| maint = [[Florida Department of Transportation]]
|open= October 30, 1963
| open = October 30, 1963
|design=[[steel]] [[stringer/multi-beam or girder bridge]]
| design = [[Steel]] <br/>Stringer/Multi-beam or [[Girder bridge]]
|mainspan=39.6 meters (130 feet)
|length=2030.6 meters (6662 feet)
| mainspan = 39.6 meters (130 feet)
|width=10.4 meters (34 feet)
| length = 2030.6 meters (6662 feet)
|clearance=13.7 meters (45 feet)(vertical) x 27.7 meters (91 feet)(horizontal)
| width = 10.4 meters (34 feet)
| clearance = 13.7 meters (45 feet)(vertical) x 27.7 meters (91 feet)(horizontal)
|coordinates = {{coord|29.9833|-81.6167|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|29.9833|-81.6167|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}


The '''Shands Bridge''' is a two-lane automobile bridge carrying [[Florida State Road 16|SR 16]] over the [[St. Johns River]] south of [[Jacksonville, Florida]].
The '''Shands Bridge''' is a highway bridge over the [[St. Johns River]] near [[Jacksonville, Florida]]. The span was first opened in 1929. It was located just north of the current span, crossing from [[Orangedale, Florida|Orangedale]] to the present Shands pier on the west side of the river. On October 7, the eastern approach to the bridge was eroded by [[Hurricane Matthew]], so the bridge was closed to traffic for an indefinite time period. On October 9, the bridge reopened.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://jacksonville.com/metro/2016-10-09/shands-bridge-reopens-after-storm|title=Shands Bridge reopens after storm|newspaper=jacksonville.com|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref>


==History==
The current bridge was dedicated on October 30, 1963, and features a beam-type construction for a total of two lanes. The bridge is part of [[Florida State Road 16|SR 16]] and until the building of the [[Interstate 295 (Florida)|I-295]] [[Buckman Bridge]] was the only crossing of the [[St. Johns River]] between [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] and [[Palatka, Florida|Palatka]].
The first structure at the site was a 2-mile-long wooden toll span with a draw bridge inaugurated in 1928.<ref name="claytoday1">{{cite news |title=As Shands Bridge readies for its third makeover, it still connects county its past |url=https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/as-shands-bridge-readies-for-its-third-makeover-it-still-connects-county-its-past,17190 |access-date=2 November 2019 |work=Clay Today |date=15 May 2019}}</ref> It was located just north of the current span, crossing from [[Orangedale, Florida|Orangedale]] to the present Shands pier on the west side of the river. The current bridge was dedicated on October 30, 1963, and features concrete beam-type construction for a total of two lanes. Until the building of the [[Interstate 295 (Florida)|I-295]] [[Buckman Bridge]] it was the only crossing of the [[St. Johns River]] between [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] and [[Palatka, Florida|Palatka]].


In 2004, proposals were made to replace or upgrade the span. Problems cited include increasing traffic in the [[Clay County, Florida|Clay County]] and [[St. Johns County, Florida|St. Johns County]] areas, safety, and the inability of large boats to travel upriver. One plan would put a new bridge north of the existing one, connecting to extensions of [[Florida State Road 9B|SR 9B]] and [[Florida State Road 23|SR 23]]. In the fall of 2005, the railings of the bridge were upgraded to solid concrete barriers in an effort to reduce over-bridge fatalities.
In 2004, proposals were made to replace or upgrade the span. Problems cited include increasing traffic in the [[Clay County, Florida|Clay County]] and [[St. Johns County, Florida|St. Johns County]] areas, safety, and the inability of large boats to travel upriver. One plan proposed a new bridge north of the existing one, connecting to extensions of [[Florida State Road 9B|SR 9B]] and [[Florida State Road 23|SR 23]]. Eventually a planned span just to the south was selected. In the fall of 2005, the railings of the bridge were upgraded to solid concrete barriers in an effort to reduce over-bridge fatalities.

On October 7, 2016, the eastern approach to the bridge was eroded by [[Hurricane Matthew]], and the bridge was closed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-08 |title=Hurricane Matthew: Latest closures for bridges, roads |url=https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2016/10/08/hurricane-matthew-latest-closures-for-bridges-roads/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=WJXT |language=en}}</ref> However, the bridge reopened on October 9, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://jacksonville.com/metro/2016-10-09/shands-bridge-reopens-after-storm|title=Shands Bridge reopens after storm|newspaper=jacksonville.com|access-date=2016-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-09 |title=Shands bridge reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew |url=https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/shands-bridge-closed-until-further-notice/455320864/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Action News Jax |language=en}}</ref>


==First Coast Expressway Replacement==
==First Coast Expressway Replacement==
{{expand section|date=March 2016}}The third and final segment of the FCE includes a new four-lane bridge over the St. Johns River just south of where the Shands Bridge currently stands and construction of new roadway connecting to I-95 in St. Johns County. Right-of-way acquisition, design and permitting for this $763 million segment is expected to be completed in 2020, with construction beginning in 2023. The vertical clearance height of the new bridge will be 65 feet from the water line, compared to the existing 45 feet of clearance. The additional 20 feet will match the Buckman Bridge’s clearance and is an improvement for marine commerce in the region.
The third and final segment of the [[Florida State Road 23|First Coast Expressway]] (also known as SR 23, which will connect I-10 and I-95 as a partial outer beltway around Jacksonville and Orange Park) includes a new four-lane bridge over the St. Johns River just south of where the Shands Bridge currently stands, as well as construction of new roadway connecting to I-95 in St. Johns County. Right-of-way acquisition, design and permitting for this $763 million segment is expected to be completed in 2020, with construction beginning in 2023 and ending in 2030. The current bridge will be partially or fully removed. The vertical clearance height of the new bridge will be 65 feet from the water line, compared to the existing 45 feet of clearance. The additional 20 feet will match the clearance of the Buckman Bridge to the north and Palatka's [[Memorial Bridge (Palatka, Florida)|Memorial Bridge]] to the south and is an improvement for marine commerce in the region.<ref name="claytoday1"/> In addition to the four lanes of traffic, the new bridge will also include street lighting, full breakdown lanes on both sides of the roadway in each direction, as well as a 12-foot wide [[shared-use path]] with several scenic overlooks, compared to the current bridge which has no street lighting or pedestrian path and only one lane of traffic in each direction surrounded by narrow shoulders.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Old Shands Bridge.jpg|View of the old bridge from the new one
File:Old Shands Bridge.jpg|View of the remnants of the 1928 bridge from the current one
File:Shands bridge 2.jpg|Westbound on Shands bridge with current barriers
File:Shands bridge 2.jpg|Westbound on Shands bridge with current barriers
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 37: Line 41:
==See also==
==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Transport}}
* {{Portal-inline|Transport}}
* {{Portal-inline|Infrastructure}}
* {{Portal-inline|Engineering}}
* {{Portal-inline|Florida}}
* {{Portal-inline|Florida}}
* [[List of crossings of the St. Johns River]]
* [[List of crossings of the St. Johns River]]
Line 45: Line 49:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Shands Bridge}}
*[http://www.sjrbridge.com/default.htm St. Johns River Crossing Corridor Study]
*[http://www.sjrbridge.com/default.htm St. Johns River Crossing Corridor Study]
*[http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11492.shtml Nautical Chart]
*[http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11492.shtml Nautical Chart]
Line 68: Line 73:
[[Category:Girder bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Girder bridges in the United States]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Florida]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Florida]]
[[Category:Bridges in Jacksonville, Florida]]
[[Category:Transportation in Clay County, Florida]]
[[Category:Transportation in St. Johns County, Florida]]



{{Florida-bridge-struct-stub}}
{{Florida-bridge-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:32, 17 August 2024

Shands Bridge
Westbound on the Shands Bridge (2016)
Coordinates29°59′00″N 81°37′00″W / 29.9833°N 81.6167°W / 29.9833; -81.6167
Carries2 general purpose lanes (SR 16)
CrossesSt. Johns River
LocaleGreen Cove Springs, Florida
Official nameAlvin G. Shands Bridge
Maintained byFlorida Department of Transportation
ID number780056
Characteristics
DesignSteel
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder bridge
Total length2030.6 meters (6662 feet)
Width10.4 meters (34 feet)
Longest span39.6 meters (130 feet)
Clearance above13.7 meters (45 feet)(vertical) x 27.7 meters (91 feet)(horizontal)
History
OpenedOctober 30, 1963
Location
Map

The Shands Bridge is a two-lane automobile bridge carrying SR 16 over the St. Johns River south of Jacksonville, Florida.

History

[edit]

The first structure at the site was a 2-mile-long wooden toll span with a draw bridge inaugurated in 1928.[1] It was located just north of the current span, crossing from Orangedale to the present Shands pier on the west side of the river. The current bridge was dedicated on October 30, 1963, and features concrete beam-type construction for a total of two lanes. Until the building of the I-295 Buckman Bridge it was the only crossing of the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Palatka.

In 2004, proposals were made to replace or upgrade the span. Problems cited include increasing traffic in the Clay County and St. Johns County areas, safety, and the inability of large boats to travel upriver. One plan proposed a new bridge north of the existing one, connecting to extensions of SR 9B and SR 23. Eventually a planned span just to the south was selected. In the fall of 2005, the railings of the bridge were upgraded to solid concrete barriers in an effort to reduce over-bridge fatalities.

On October 7, 2016, the eastern approach to the bridge was eroded by Hurricane Matthew, and the bridge was closed.[2] However, the bridge reopened on October 9, 2016.[3][4]

First Coast Expressway Replacement

[edit]

The third and final segment of the First Coast Expressway (also known as SR 23, which will connect I-10 and I-95 as a partial outer beltway around Jacksonville and Orange Park) includes a new four-lane bridge over the St. Johns River just south of where the Shands Bridge currently stands, as well as construction of new roadway connecting to I-95 in St. Johns County. Right-of-way acquisition, design and permitting for this $763 million segment is expected to be completed in 2020, with construction beginning in 2023 and ending in 2030. The current bridge will be partially or fully removed. The vertical clearance height of the new bridge will be 65 feet from the water line, compared to the existing 45 feet of clearance. The additional 20 feet will match the clearance of the Buckman Bridge to the north and Palatka's Memorial Bridge to the south and is an improvement for marine commerce in the region.[1] In addition to the four lanes of traffic, the new bridge will also include street lighting, full breakdown lanes on both sides of the roadway in each direction, as well as a 12-foot wide shared-use path with several scenic overlooks, compared to the current bridge which has no street lighting or pedestrian path and only one lane of traffic in each direction surrounded by narrow shoulders.

[edit]
  • View of the remnants of the 1928 bridge from the current one
    View of the remnants of the 1928 bridge from the current one
  • Westbound on Shands bridge with current barriers
    Westbound on Shands bridge with current barriers

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "As Shands Bridge readies for its third makeover, it still connects county its past". Clay Today. May 15, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  2. ^ "Hurricane Matthew: Latest closures for bridges, roads". WJXT. October 8, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Shands Bridge reopens after storm". jacksonville.com. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "Shands bridge reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew". Action News Jax. October 9, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shands Bridge.
Stub icon

This article about a bridge in Florida is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Shands_Bridge&oldid=1240867491"