Hart Bridge Closed Four Hours After Barge Crane Strike Wednesday

The Hart Bridge over the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville was temporarily closed for approximately four hours Wednesday evening, November 4, 2026, after a crane loaded on a barge struck the structure. According to the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol, the impact occurred around 7:20 p.m. as the barge attempted to pass under the bridge. Both northbound and southbound lanes were closed immediately as a precaution. The bridge reopened late Wednesday night after inspectors confirmed it was safe for traffic.

FDOT crews arrived at the scene within 20 minutes of the incident equipped with an under-bridge inspection machine. The agency mobilized a coordinated response that included safety boats, engineers, bridge inspectors, maintenance professionals, and other personnel to evaluate the bridge and verify its structural integrity. FDOT spokesperson Hampton Ray explained that inspectors were looking for cracks, dents, and anything out of place. The bridge reopened within four hours of the strike, shortly before midnight, according to First Coast News and News4Jax.

The Hart Bridge carries U.S. Route 1 Alternate and State Road 228 over the St. Johns River near EverBank Stadium in downtown Jacksonville. According to Action News Jax, the crane struck the span on the Matthews Bridge side of the structure. FDOT said vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the impact. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office redirected traffic while crews worked, and motorists were advised to seek alternate routes during the closure.

As of late Wednesday night, FDOT had not disclosed the name of the company responsible for the barge and crane. The U.S. Coast Guard is completing an incident response to investigate the circumstances of the strike, according to FDOT statements. The crane was loaded on the barge and was passing south below the Hart Bridge when the collision occurred. It remains unclear why the crane struck the bridge or whether the crane was improperly secured or positioned during transit.

The Isaiah David Hart Bridge is one of Jacksonville's major river crossings and a key route connecting downtown to the city's southwest neighborhoods. The bridge opened November 2, 1967, at a cost of $8.83 million. It is a continuous steel through-truss bridge designed by Sverdrup and Parcel and built by Allied Structural Steel Company of Chicago. The structure stretches 3,844 feet across the St. Johns River. Its main span measures 1,088 feet, making it the longest bridge span of any highway bridge in Florida. The bridge is 65 feet wide and carries four lanes of traffic.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the Hart Bridge has a vertical clearance below the structure of 141 feet, measured at mean high water. That clearance is designed to allow vessel traffic to pass safely beneath the span. Wikipedia notes that the Hart Bridge is one of the longest truss bridges in the world and has the third longest main span of any truss bridge globally. The bridge is traditionally painted green and is known locally as the Green Monster. Daily traffic on the Hart Bridge averages 37,000 vehicles, according to 2022 FDOT figures, though some sources list average daily traffic at 52,000 vehicles.

The bridge was originally built on a bond and financed through tolls. Tolls were lifted in 1989 after the bond was paid off. The stretch of highway between downtown and Beach Boulevard is known as the Commodore Point Expressway but is more commonly referred to by Jacksonville residents as the Hart Bridge Expressway. The bridge is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation. According to HistoricBridges.org, the Hart Bridge was recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its role in Jacksonville's community planning, development, and transportation, and under Criterion C for its engineering significance as an exceptional example of a continuous steel through-truss bridge.

This is not the first time a Jacksonville bridge has been struck by a vessel. On June 24, 2026, a barge struck the Shands Bridge, prompting a temporary closure before inspectors determined the structure was safe and reopened it, according to Action News Jax. In September 2013, the USNS 1st Lt. Harry Martin, a U.S. Navy cargo ship, struck the Mathews Bridge, causing major structural damage to a main beam and shoving metal deck support plates two to three inches out of position. That incident required an emergency repair contract and an estimated 40-day closure. FDOT warned at the time that the damage created a weight imbalance that could have caused a collapse. Superior Construction of Jacksonville completed repairs in 30 days, according to Engineering News-Record.

FDOT emphasized that the department maintains a robust bridge inspection program and that bridge crews are trained and prepared to respond to strikes, even though they are never anticipated. According to FDOT spokesperson Hampton Ray, all Florida bridges are inspected at minimum every two years as required by federal standards. Bridge inspectors use under-bridge inspection machines to conduct thorough assessments when incidents occur. The machines allow inspectors to reach and examine structural elements that are not easily visible from the roadway or riverbanks.

The Wednesday night closure disrupted traffic in downtown Jacksonville during evening commute hours. The Hart Bridge is one of six bridges that cross the St. Johns River in the downtown area. The other bridges include the FEC Railway Bridge, the Acosta Bridge, the Main Street Bridge, the Mathews Bridge, and the Fuller Warren Bridge. Together, these spans carry tens of thousands of vehicles daily and are critical to the region's transportation network. Closures on one bridge can create significant congestion as traffic diverts to other crossings.

Jacksonville residents who rely on the Hart Bridge for daily commutes were affected by the Wednesday evening closure. The bridge connects the city's Southside and Northside neighborhoods and serves as a primary route for residents traveling to and from downtown for work, events, and other activities. The four-hour closure forced drivers to use alternate crossings, including the nearby Main Street Bridge, Mathews Bridge, and Acosta Bridge, which experienced increased traffic volumes during the incident.

Residents can report safety concerns related to bridges, roads, or infrastructure to the Florida Department of Transportation by calling 511 or visiting the FL511 website. For non-emergency concerns about traffic conditions or road hazards, residents can also contact the Jacksonville Transportation Authority at 904-630-3100. In emergency situations involving road closures, accidents, or immediate hazards, residents should call 911.

Jacksonville's bridges are aging infrastructure that require ongoing maintenance and inspection to ensure public safety. The Hart Bridge is 59 years old as of 2026. The Mathews Bridge, which was severely damaged in the 2013 ship strike, was originally built in 1953 and is now more than 70 years old. As the city's population and traffic volumes grow, the importance of maintaining these structures becomes increasingly critical. FDOT's rapid response to the Wednesday crane strike reflects the agency's commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience.

Vessel operators on the St. Johns River are required to follow federal navigation regulations and ensure that their cargo and equipment do not exceed the vertical clearances of bridges they pass under. The U.S. Coast Guard enforces navigation safety rules and investigates incidents involving bridge strikes to determine whether violations occurred and to prevent future collisions. Penalties for negligent vessel operation that damages infrastructure can include fines, citations, and liability for repair costs.

How high is the Hart Bridge clearance? According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the Hart Bridge has a vertical navigation clearance of 141 feet below the structure, measured at mean high water. This clearance is designed to allow vessel traffic, including barges and ships, to pass safely under the span. The bridge opened in 1967 and carries U.S. Route 1 Alternate and State Road 228 over the St. Johns River.

How often are Jacksonville bridges inspected? According to FDOT spokesperson Hampton Ray, all Florida bridges are inspected at minimum every two years as required by federal standards. FDOT maintains a robust bridge inspection program. When a bridge strike or other incident occurs, inspectors use under-bridge inspection machines to conduct immediate assessments. These machines allow crews to examine structural elements that are not easily visible from the roadway or riverbanks. Inspectors look for cracks, dents, and anything out of place that could compromise structural integrity.

What caused the Wednesday crane strike? As of late Wednesday night, it remained unclear how the crane collided with the Hart Bridge. The crane was loaded on a barge that was attempting to pass south under the bridge near EverBank Stadium when the strike occurred around 7:20 p.m. FDOT has not disclosed the name of the company responsible for the barge and crane. The U.S. Coast Guard is completing an incident response to investigate the circumstances. Possible causes could include improper positioning of the crane during transit, failure to account for the bridge clearance, or mechanical failure.

Have other Jacksonville bridges been struck by vessels? Yes. On June 24, 2026, a barge struck the Shands Bridge, prompting a temporary closure before inspectors determined the structure was safe. In September 2013, the USNS 1st Lt. Harry Martin, a U.S. Navy cargo ship, struck the Mathews Bridge, causing major structural damage that required emergency repairs and an estimated 40-day closure. FDOT warned at that time that the damage created a weight imbalance that could have caused a collapse. Superior Construction of Jacksonville completed those repairs in 30 days.

What should residents do during bridge closures? During bridge closures, residents should use alternate routes as advised by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and FDOT. Jacksonville has six bridges crossing the St. Johns River in the downtown area, including the Main Street Bridge, Mathews Bridge, Acosta Bridge, Fuller Warren Bridge, and the FEC Railway Bridge. Drivers can check real-time traffic conditions by calling 511 or visiting the FL511 website. For emergency situations involving accidents or immediate hazards, residents should call 911.