You Shall Not Pass...Unless You Know These 7 Bridges of Jacksonville!
Jacksonville? More like Jacks-over-the-Water-ville, amirite? That's right, this sun-soaked Florida city boasts more bridges than a dentist convention. But fear not, intrepid traveler, for we're here to be your guide across this watery labyrinth (or at least help you impress your friends with some bridge trivia).
What Are The Seven Bridges In Jacksonville |
The Magnificent Seven: A Bridge-by-Bridge Breakdown
The Dames Point Bridge: The Grand Dame of the bunch, this cable-stayed beauty welcomes sailors home (or at least guides them to the nearest taco stand). Fun Fact: It has over 20 miles of cable, that's more than enough to tether your wildest first-date jitters!
Fuller Warren Bridge: The new kid on the block (well, the block since 2002), this sleek suspension bridge offers panoramic views that are almost guaranteed not to induce seasickness (unlike your uncle Steve's boat).
St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge: This historic swing bridge is a Jacksonville icon, and if it could talk, it would probably have some wild tales about flappers, rumrunners, and that time a rogue banana boat almost took it out.
John E. Mathews Bridge: Don't let the unassuming name fool you, this bridge is a workhorse, carrying commuters and tourists across the river with reliable efficiency. Bonus points: Spotting a dolphin from this bridge is basically a Jacksonville right of passage.
Henry Holland Buckman Bridge: This concrete cantilever bridge is as sturdy as your grandma's bridge night game. Local legend: If you whisper your deepest desires to the bridge at sunset, a school of mullet will magically appear (results may vary).
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge: No, you won't find Napoleon chilling on this bridge (although that would be a tourist attraction for sure), but you will find gorgeous vistas of the St. Johns River.
Isaiah D. Hart Bridge: This cantilever bridge is another Jacksonville stalwart, carrying traffic (and maybe the occasional rogue tire) safely across the water. Heads up: Don't try to outrun a Jacksonville police car on this bridge. Trust me.
Remember: These bridges are for looking, not leaping (unless you're a dolphin, those guys are basically water superheroes).
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions (Bridge-itional Edition)
How to get the best view of the bridges? Take a scenic cruise on the St. Johns River. You'll thank us later (and probably get a killer tan too).
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
How to avoid bridge traffic jams? Leave early, use Waze, and offer a prayer to the traffic gods.
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
How to tell the bridges apart? Some helpful hints: The Dames Point Bridge has those cool cables, Fuller Warren is the long and skinny one, and the Acosta Bridge swings (when it's not busy, of course).
Tip: Take mental snapshots of important details.
How to impress your friends with bridge knowledge? Casually drop the fact that Jacksonville has more bridges than Venice. Boom. Instant respect.
How to avoid getting lost while bridge-hopping? Download a map app and avoid navigating by the stars (unless you're a seasoned sailor, then more power to you).