Mathers Bridge in Indian Harbour Beach Reopened To On-Demand Boating Traffic

By  //  August 2, 2022

The bridge was built in 1927

Mathers Bridge in Indian Harbour Beach has been reopened to on-demand boating traffic following the $35,500 rehabilitation of two actuators and three motors that help open and close the historic 700-foot swing span bridge.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Mathers Bridge in Indian Harbour Beach has been reopened to on-demand boating traffic following the $35,500 rehabilitation of two actuators and three motors that help open and close the historic 700-foot swing span bridge.

Two additional actuators and one motor were rehabilitated on the bridge earlier this year. According to Public Works Director Marc Bernath, “this should give us some breathing room as we ultimately plan to have a combination of new actuators and rehabilitated spares, but each new actuator takes 6-8 months to produce and ship from Germany.”

Each actuator weighs 1,500 pounds.

Mathers Bridge, closed to boating traffic on July 2 due to mechanical issues that allow the bridge to open and close.

The bridge has remained open to motorists as a safety precaution and to allow emergency vehicles to get access to residences in the area if needed.

Mathers Bridge in Indian Harbour Beach has been reopened to on-demand boating traffic following the $35,500 rehabilitation of two actuators and three motors that help open and close the historic 700-foot swing span bridge.

Brevard County Public Works began scheduled openings within the past two weeks to allow boaters to move their vessels or stranded boats from one side of the bridge to the other.

The bridge, built in 1927, connects South Tropical Trail on the southern end of Merritt Island to the western end of Banana River Drive in Indian Harbour Beach.

The bridge was reopened officially at 12:15 p.m. today (Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022). Additional planned repairs will occur in the weeks and months ahead, but there are no additional closures planned at this time, according to Bernath.

Bernath said several tests were conducted to ensure the bridge was operational before the reopening was announced.

The bridge will open on demand for boaters during the normal schedule between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 24 hours on Friday, Saturday and all federal holidays.

Mathers Bridge in Indian Harbour Beach has been reopened to on-demand boating traffic following the $35,500 rehabilitation of two actuators and three motors that help open and close the historic 700-foot swing span bridge.

Bernath said the bridge tender has alerted the U.S. Coast Guard Jacksonville Sector, Indian Harbour Police Department and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office that the bridge is operational, and put out a call to boaters over the radio.

The Coast Guard’s director of bridges is also being notified.