Seven Iconic Jacksonville, Florida, Bridges Crossing the Saint John's River

Jacksonville, Florida, like many vibrant cities in the United States, is divided by a river. Almost half a million people, more than half the population of the city, cross one of the seven vehicle bridges spanning the Saint John's River every day. Each bridge has its own character and history. (Bridges listed from north to south.)

The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward "Dames Point" Bridge - The Dames Point, Jacksonville's newest (it opened in 1989) and northernmost bridge over the Saint Johns, carries 30,000 vehicles a day over the river at SR 9A. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the city's bridges.

The John E. Mathews Bridge - The Mathews Bridge opened in 1953 and connects Downtown with the Arlington Expressway over four lanes. Over 66,000 vehicles travel on the red bridge every day.

The Isaiah David Hart Bridge - The green Hart Bridge, opened in 1967, carries 47,000 vehicles over four lanes from Downtown and the Martin Luther King Expressway to Beach Blvd.

The John T. Alsop "Main Street" Bridge - The Main Street Bridge is Jacksonville's most memorable. The bright blue lift bridge opened in 1941, and today it carries about 20,000 drivers a day across US 1 between Ocean Street on the north (west) side of the river and I-95 and US 90 on the south (east) side.

The St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge - The Acosta, like the Fuller Warren and the Main Street bridges, connects to I-95, US 1 and US 90 on the south (east) bank of the river. On the north (west) side, it has exits onto Riverside Avenue and Water Street. It carries around 32,000 cars a day over six lanes of traffic in addition to two sidewalks and the Jacksonville Skyway. The Acosta, built in 1991, replaced Jacksonville's first bridge across the river, the Saint Johns River Bridge, built in 1925. The Acosta is edged in neon purple lights, providing an attractive addition to the night lights of the city.