NASSAU COUNTY, Fla — Commuters who typically traverse U.S. 17 to travel between Florida and Georgia should prepare for alternative routes this week.

Scheduled for routine upkeep, the iconic blue bridge over the St. Marys River will be temporarily shut down each day from Monday, December 8, through Thursday, December 11. These closures are designed to minimize disruption to typical 9-to-5 work schedules, though they may still affect daytime travel between the states. The bridge will be inaccessible from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during this period.

Motorists are advised to use Interstate 95 as a detour for crossing the river.

This nearly century-old structure, inaugurated in 1927, frequently undergoes maintenance. The Florida Department of Transportation notes it as one of the last manually-operated swing bridges in the state, still requiring a 15-foot wrench for operation.

The nearly 100-year-old bridge regularly requires closures for maintenance. Built in 1927, the Florida Department of Transportation says it is one of the last manually-operated swing bridges in the state and is still opened with a 15-foot wrench.

In a 2024 inspection by FDOT, it was determined to be in “fair” condition.