JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville's Mathews Bridge, one of the busiest of the seven major bridges in Jacksonville, underwent a months-long renovation in 2007.

Motorists endured months of detours and delays while the bridge's grated surface was replaced with a solid, lightweight decking material similar to surfacing used on aircraft carriers.

Transportation officials said detours and the $13 million the resurfacing were the price for getting a safer, longer-lasting bridge.

"It feels (safer) to me," driver Willie Mae Suriency said. "I am more confident without those gratings, especially when it's raining."

While the bridge feels safer, accident statistics don't show it. Channel 4's Jim Piggott learned that in the six months prior to the bridge's renovation, there were 62 accidents. In the six months since the Mathews has been renovated, there have been 66.

The jump in accidents may just be an anomaly.

"We can only speculate with the current numbers," said Mike Goldman of the Florida Department of Transportation.

"The fact that people may be going faster across the bridge could be the reason for the statistics that are out," Goldman said. "When the grating was there, people slowed down."

There may also be more people using the bridge than before the renovation. DOT is awaiting the results of a bridge usage survey to determine if that is the case.

"It's surprising," Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Leeper said of the accident increase. "You would think it would come down because of the new surface."