Shands Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Shands Bridge is a highway bridge over the St. Johns River
near Jacksonville, Florida
. The span was first opened in 1929. It was located just north of the current span, crossing from Orangedale to the present Shands pier on the west side of the river.
The current bridge was dedicated on October 30, 1963, and features a beam-type construction for a total of two lanes. The bridge is part of SR 16 and until the building of the I-295 Buckman Bridge was the only crossing of the St. Johns River
between Jacksonville
and Palatka
.
In 2004, proposals were made to replace or upgrade the span. Problems cited include increasing traffic in the Clay County
and St. Johns County
areas, safety, and the inability of large boats to travel upriver. One plan would put a new bridge north of the existing one, connecting to extensions of SR 9B and SR 23. In the fall of 2005, the railings of the bridge were upgraded to solid concrete barriers in an effort to reduce over-bridge fatalities.
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
near Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The span was first opened in 1929. It was located just north of the current span, crossing from Orangedale to the present Shands pier on the west side of the river.
The current bridge was dedicated on October 30, 1963, and features a beam-type construction for a total of two lanes. The bridge is part of SR 16 and until the building of the I-295 Buckman Bridge was the only crossing of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
between Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
and Palatka
Palatka, Florida
Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...
.
In 2004, proposals were made to replace or upgrade the span. Problems cited include increasing traffic in the Clay County
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
and St. Johns County
St. Johns County, Florida
St. Johns County is a county located in northeastern Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 190,039. The county seat is St. Augustine. Due to the inclusion of Ponte Vedra Beach, it is one of the highest-income counties in the United States....
areas, safety, and the inability of large boats to travel upriver. One plan would put a new bridge north of the existing one, connecting to extensions of SR 9B and SR 23. In the fall of 2005, the railings of the bridge were upgraded to solid concrete barriers in an effort to reduce over-bridge fatalities.