Temporary Fix Found For Mathews Bridge

By Darryl Tardy First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Thousands travel across it everyday, many with caution like Pastor Carolyn Hughes of Jacksonville.

"It's a dangerous bridge. And it bothers me when it's rainy because it's slippery because of the steel and you have to drive very careful or you can easily slide and wreck," said Hughes.

Hughes is talking about the Mathews Bridge.

The Department of Transportation recently admitted that when it built the bridge, they built it wrong.

"The new grating did not reduce accidents the way we wanted," said Mike Goldman with the Department of Transportation.

In fact, the DOT says it actually created more.

One of the worse happened last July when 46 year-old Donna Campbell was thrown into the St. Johns River after her jeep crashed at the crest of the bridge.

First Coast News has learned the DOT has come up with a temporary solution to fix the grating on the bridge.

"Short term what we're looking at is a process to rough up the grating to add more traction to tires going across it," said Goldman.

The process is called scavaling. Dimples are created in the surface to prevent tires from slipping.

The DOT says it's not foolproof and does wear out but it's a quick fix for now.

City Councilman Lake Ray told First Coast News fixing the bridge is a priority.

Ray says, "Let's get something going. Make the effort now and then make the permanent fix later."

For drivers who use the Mathews bridge, it's a welcome solution.

The DOT is in the process of drafting a contract for the company that will do the work on the Mathews Bridge. Costs for a temporary fix could run nearly $1 million.

The DOT also told First Coast News the cost for for a permanent solution has also climbed to about $16 million.

The top of the Mathews is covered with 800 feet of grating, and wet conditions may be one of the biggest contributing factors to crashes.

A Florida Times-Union review of crash statistics showed 19 of 21 accidents on the grating during April, May, and June all occurred in the rain.

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