North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $78.9 million to the city of Stuart to replace the 100-year-old St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge with a new two-track structure offering significantly improved vertical and horizontal navigational clearances.
The bridge serves both Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway, carrying passenger and freight rail traffic while crossing the Okeechobee Waterway, a federal navigation channel.
The project is estimated to cost $262 million. The new funding is in addition to a $130 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded in 2023.
“Rail is critical infrastructure for our state — moving goods and moving people,” said Patrick Goddard, CEO of Brightline Trains Florida. “This grant is a win for everyone who shares this corridor, the marine industry, municipalities, rail partners, everyone benefits from modernized infrastructure. We appreciate USDOT prioritizing this project and supporting the continued growth of the region.”
The replacement bridge is expected to improve safety and traffic flow for marine vessels, reduce the potential for blocked grade crossings and vehicle collisions, and encourage a shift from single-occupancy vehicles to passenger rail. The new structure is also expected to reduce operations and maintenance costs.
“This is an important infrastructure grant for our community,” said Michael Kennedy, FIND commissioner for Martin County. “Replacing the 100-year-old railroad bridge with a new two-track bridge offering greater vertical and horizontal clearances will substantially reduce impacts on recreational boaters, commercial marine traffic, downtown motorists, marine industries and cruising vessels, while also facilitating passenger and freight rail transportation.”
The bridge’s horizontal clearance will increase from 50 feet to approximately 90 feet. Its vertical clearance at mean high water will increase from 6.5 feet to approximately 17.75 feet in the closed position, allowing more than 90% of vessels to pass beneath the bridge without requiring it to open.
“Anyone who’s spent time on the St. Lucie River knows that century-old bridge is too low, sitting at 6 feet, too narrow, and stuck in the closed position more often than it should be,” said Rep. Brian Mast. “It’s a daily headache for boaters and a safety risk for everyone who shares that corridor. Replacing it is long overdue, and this funding gets it done with a new height of 17 feet. I’ll keep working to make sure we stay on schedule and build it right.”
