Stuart - Wednesday February 22, 2023: Brightline has reassured the City of Stuart that its crews will work around the clock to make the necessary upgrades to the 98 year old railroad drawbridge across the St. Lucie River in Stuart.
The bridge is being rehabilitated to improve its operating reliability. The work will begin with nighttime closures in April followed by a subsequent 21-day navigation channel closure, with the drawbridge in the down position, starting at 6 a.m. May 1 through 6 a.m. May 22.
Brightline last week received approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to temporarily close the navigation channel at the railroad drawbridge to complete rehabilitation work. As a result the navigation channel will remain closed to boaters for at least 21 days.
Congressman Brian Mast, among others, has criticized the Coast Guard decision. The Congressman represents Florida's Congressional District 21 which covers Martin and St. Lucie counties. He has said that opposition to Brightline’s high speed rail through the Treasure Coast is one of his top priorities.
During the 21-day closure, Brightline crews will work around the clock, 24/7, to complete the job. The bridge rehabilitation project is being led by contractor Scott Bridge Company. The job is expected to be fully completed by the summer of 2023.
"The St. Lucie River bridge represents one of the final construction projects along our Orlando extension,” said Brightline Executive Vice-President Michael Cegelis in a news release. “This work is necessary to assure that the bascule span can open reliably for marine traffic and close for freight and high-speed passenger rail. The new mechanical and electrical systems will greatly reduce the risk of unplanned closures that would impact all three user groups.”
The work includes replacement of mechanical components, electrical and control components, and machining the four trunnions in place. Trunnions are the axles on which the drawbridge rotates.
Brightline says it will implement several mitigation measures prior to beginning train service to Orlando, including a real-time bridge opening and closure app for smart phone users, a countdown clock at the bridge and a bridge monitor. Construction of the bridge monitor house is also currently underway and will not impact the navigation channel.
Brightline’s bridge work is being coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, federal and state agencies, the Florida East Coast Railway as well as local counties and municipalities and law enforcement organizations.
The work schedule was developed after receiving feedback from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and local law enforcement agencies. Notice of the work will be included in the USCG Local Notice to Mariners.
St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge Work Schedule
• Overnight closures: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday April, 16 to Thursday, April 27
Drawbridge to remain in the down position overnight, no boat passage. Navigation channel open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (subject to normal train traffic). Drawbridge returns to normal operations 6 a.m., Friday, April 28.
• Full Closure – 6 a.m., Monday, May 1 to 6 a.m., Monday, May 22
Navigation channel full closure (drawbridge to remain in the down position, no boat passage). Brightline crews will work 24/7.
• Overnight closures: 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday, May 22 to Sunday, May 28
Drawbridge to remain in the down position overnight, no boat passage. Navigation channel open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (subject to normal train traffic). Drawbridge returns to normal operations 6 a.m., Monday, May 29.