JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the First Coast prepares for possible severe weather with winds estimated to reach upwards of 60 mph, Jacksonville residents have an important question: Will any bridges close?
When will bridges close?
One of the most frequently asked questions First Coast News gets is whether bridges are going to close during high winds experienced from severe weather.
There are specific requirements that must be met before a bridge is temporarily shut down.
The city of Jacksonville says the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will make the determination to close the bridges when and if there are sustained winds of 40+ miles per hour.
If closures are announced, drivers should expect bridges at higher elevations, like the Mathews, Hart and Dames Point bridges, to close first since those bridges would see the most intense winds first.
The closures would happen suddenly and usually do not have early notice as they are often closed right when the 40 mph sustained wind threshold is met. Closures should also be expected to be brief, since sustained winds and not periodic gusts are required for closures.
The rules are essentially the same across the First Coast. During Tropical Storm Idalia, the only bridge to close in the area was the Sidney Lanier in Brunswick.
