If you’ve lived in Jacksonville for more than a week, you know the vibe of the Mathews Bridge. It’s that towering, garnet-red steel structure that looks a bit like a rollercoaster and feels even more like one when you're caught in the left lane next to a semi-truck. Honestly, it’s a local rite of passage. You aren't a "real" Duval resident until you’ve white-knuckled your steering wheel while climbing that steep incline with nothing but a thin railing between you and the St. Johns River.
But there is more to this bridge than just the "Mathews lean"—that weird sensation where the wind or the grating makes your car feel like it’s sliding sideways. It’s a piece of history that basically invented modern Arlington.
The $11 Million Gamble That Built Arlington
Back in the early 1950s, if you wanted to get from downtown Jacksonville to the "suburbs" of Arlington, you were basically out of luck unless you wanted to take a ferry or drive way out of your way. Arlington was mostly farmland then. The Mathews Bridge jax fl changed everything when it opened on April 15, 1953.
It cost about $11 million to build, which was a massive chunk of change at the time. They named it after John E. Mathews, a state legislator and Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court who spent years pushing for the funding. Without him, the Arlington Expressway probably wouldn't exist, and the area would look completely different today.
Interestingly, it wasn't always that iconic red color. For the first few decades of its life, the bridge was actually silver. In 1984, the city decided to paint it garnet to celebrate the Jacksonville Bulls, a short-lived USFL football team. The team didn't last, but the color did. Now, it’s just part of the skyline’s DNA.
That One Time a Navy Ship Tried to Eat the Bridge
Most locals remember where they were in September 2013 when the news broke: a ship hit the bridge. It wasn't just a "bump." The USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin, a massive military cargo ship, slammed into the center span while being towed.
The impact was violent. It buckled the steel beams so badly that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) had to shut the whole thing down immediately. For a month, Jacksonville traffic was a nightmare. Everyone had to divert to the Hart Bridge or the Main Street Bridge, turning a 10-minute commute into an hour-long ordeal.
🔗 Read more: McConnells Mill State Park: Why This Slippery Rock Gorge Is More Dangerous Than It Looks
The damage was serious:
- The repair bill hit roughly $4 million.
- Engineers had to basically "reconstruct" a portion of the support structure mid-air.
- It turned out the charted height of the bridge was actually wrong. The bridge was officially surveyed after the crash and found to be 146 feet high—about 6 feet lower than what the charts previously claimed.
It took a month of 24/7 work to get it reopened, and even now, some people get a little twitchy when they see a large vessel passing underneath while they're stuck in traffic above.
Why the Mathews Bridge Feels So Sketchy
Let's talk about the "floor" of the bridge. For decades, the center span was an open steel grating. If it rained, it felt like driving on ice. If you looked down, you could literally see the river through the metal mesh beneath your tires. It was terrifying for new drivers.
In 2007, FDOT finally spent $12.9 million to replace that grating with a concrete riding surface. It’s much safer now, but the bridge still has its quirks. It’s narrow. There are no shoulders. If your car breaks down at the top of the span, you are basically blocking a lane and praying people are paying attention.
Recently, in late 2025, a new community task force led by Alan Bliss of the Jacksonville History Center has been pushing for even more upgrades. They’re calling the bridge "functionally obsolete." That doesn't mean it's going to fall down—FDOT is very clear that the bridge is structurally sound and safe—but it does mean the design doesn't meet modern standards for things like emergency lanes and lane width.
🔗 Read more: Miami Beach Tide Table: What Most People Get Wrong About South Florida Waters
Real Talk on the Numbers
- Length: 7,736 feet (about 1.4 miles).
- Clearance: Approximately 146 feet above the water.
- Traffic: Roughly 60,000 cars cross it every single day.
- Speed Limit: 45 mph (though let’s be real, nobody goes 45).
What Most People Get Wrong About the Bridge
A common myth is that the bridge is "failing" because it looks rusty or old. The truth is that FDOT does inspections constantly. In early 2024, they did a major rehabilitation project on the westbound lanes, and they keep a close eye on the steel's integrity. Just because it looks like a vintage erector set doesn't mean it's going anywhere.
Another misconception is that it’s the tallest bridge in the city. While it feels high, the Dames Point Bridge actually dwarfs it, sitting at 175 feet of clearance. But because the Mathews is so narrow and has those steep 5% grades, it feels much more intense to drive.
Safety Tips for Crossing the Mathews
If you’re a visitor or a nervous local, here is how to handle the Mathews Bridge jax fl without a panic attack:
- Stay in the right lane if you're worried about the height. The left lane puts you right against the "inside" of the truss, which can feel claustrophobic.
- Watch for the "bump" at the joints. There are several expansion joints along the span that can give your car a little jolt. It’s normal.
- Give the truck in front of you space. Because there are no shoulders, if a truck loses a tire or stalls, you need enough room to react.
- Mind the wind. On high-wind days, you will feel your car buffeted a bit. Just keep two hands on the wheel and maintain your speed.
The Future of the Garnet Giant
Will they ever replace it? Probably not anytime soon. A full replacement would cost hundreds of millions of dollars that just aren't in the budget right now. FDOT has stated they don't anticipate needing major work or a new paint job for at least another 15 years.
For now, the Mathews Bridge remains a gritty, iconic, and slightly stressful part of the Jacksonville experience. It’s a testament to 1950s engineering that still carries the weight of a modern city every single morning.
Next Steps for Your Commute:
Before you head out, check the FL511 app or the FDOT District 2 social media feeds. They are very active about reporting "incidents" on the bridge. Since there are no emergency shoulders, even a small fender-bender can shut down a lane for 45 minutes. If the bridge is backed up, your best bet is usually jumping over to the Hart Bridge (the green one) just a few miles south. It’s wider, has better visibility, and usually moves a bit faster during peak Jags game traffic or rush hour.