Mathews Bridge Breaking News

[joshuataylor]

The Mathews Bridge is shut down in both directions due to a ship hitting the bridge

[joshuataylor]

Channel 4's crew at the scene reports visible damage to the structure. Exactly what struck the bridge and how is still unclear.

[If_I_Loved_you]

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/actionbreaking/story/Mathews-Bridge-closed-in-both-directions-vessel/zIls68y9gkO8KiON1zw2VQ.cspx

[carpnter]

Well that is going to suck for people who have to travel to or through downtown until they get that fixed.

[If_I_Loved_you]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/accident-closes-mathews-bridge/-/475880/22136666/-/30xdsc/-/index.html

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The Mathews Bridge is closed in both directions after a large ship being towed underneath struck the span.

Channel 4's crew at the scene reports visible damage to the structure.  Exactly what struck the bridge and how is still unclear, but a vertical ramp on a large commercial vessel moored nearby is also damaged.

The U.S. Coast Guard did not have the name of the vessel under tow that struck the bridge, but their crews are enforcing a 200-yard safety zone around the bridge while the accident is investigated

The Florida Department of Transportation structural engineers assess the damage and structural integrity to the span.

"One of the supports was damaged," FDOT spokesman Michael Goldman said, adding that vehicles are being kept off to ensure that the weight does not cause additional damage.

As how long the bridge will remain closed, he said, "It will be a while. I'd be shocked if it reopened before rush hour."

Police are directing traffic to use the Hart Bridge until further notice.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

    Copyright 2013 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[KenFSU]

This could have been really bad.

A span or two over, and it could have potentially brought the whole bridge down.

[If_I_Loved_you]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Mathews Bridge is closed in both directions until Monday due to an accident.

According to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, a cargo ship hit the bridge causing major damage, closing traffic in both directions of the bridge until further notice.

According to Mike Goldman with the Florida Department of Transportation, the bridge will be closed the rest of the day. A tweet from FDOT updated the closing through Monday.

The cargo ship was coming inbound to Jacksonville and hit the Northwest corner of the bridge.

JFRD is asking the community to use alternate routes, stating the bridge unsafe for traffic at this time.

Goldman said the boat struck a high level support.

First Coast News has a team headed to the Mathew Bridge. We will update this story as get more information.

First Coast News

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/breaking/article/329389/17/Ship-slams-into-Mathews-Bridge-bridge-closed

[BridgeTroll]

This affects Jaguar game...

[Josh]

I'm hoping to see some footage released since there has got to be several cameras aimed at that part of the bridge at all times.

[Scrub Palmetto]

Christ... I already have a mild phobia of certain bridges, including the Matthews. This news is eroding the "mild" qualifier.

[Ralph W]

Looks like a certain ship's captain will be looking for work... soon.

[copperfiend]

Looks like a good bit of damage in this picture

http://www.news4jax.com/news/accident-closes-mathews-bridge/-/475880/22136666/-/30xdsc/-/index.html

[If_I_Loved_you]

Looks like a certain ship's captain will be looking for work... soon.

It may have been a ship Pilot?

[coredumped]

Gameday is going to be pretty bad

[If_I_Loved_you]

Gameday is going to be pretty bad

Why because the Jaguars are 0-3? People will just have to leave earlier to get to the stadium. Besides all the other bridges will be open.