bridge will not be reopened until storm conditions subside
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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In anticipation of increasing winds and declining weather conditions due to impending Tropical Storm/Hurricane Idalia, Mathers Bridge may be closed to boating traffic as early as 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29.
The 700-foot-long swing span bridge was built in 1927 and connects South Tropical Trail on the southern end of Merritt Island to the western end of Banana River Drive in Indian Harbour Beach.
The Brevard County Public Works Department is actively monitoring wind speed projections for Idalia. A final decision will be made no later than Tuesday morning in order for the County’s contractor to respond in time.
At tropical storm wind speeds, the bridge needs to be physically secured and tied down and it takes several hours to do so.
Given the current timeline and current windspeed projections, County officials want to put the boating public on notice that current wind speeds are very close to a closure decision and want to make sure that ample time is afforded so that efforts by boaters to get from one side of the bridge to the other can be accommodated.
If a decision is made to secure, Mathers bridge would not be reopened until storm conditions subside and bridge conditions can be assessed.
Mathers Bridge will remain open to motor vehicle traffic.
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