The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is advising commuters to plan for delays getting to and from work today, hours after the Mathews Bridge was ordered closed indefinitely after being struck by a ship.
"Be patient, be safe, be courteous with each other, and understand that this is a unique situation," said JSO Sgt. Steve Zona at an press conference early this morning outside Everbank Field.
He also encouraged people to adjust their schedules, to arrive or leave work an hour early, in order to avoid rush hour traffic.
Zona said the 400 yard safety zone established by the U.S. Coast Guard around the bridge in the St. Johns River has been lifted, and that engineers with the Florida Department of Transportation are assessing the damage on the bridge this morning.
More details on how long the bridge may be closed are expected following the release of that assessment.
