Vehicular traffic is detoured and commercial boating traffic is halted at the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart due to emergency repairs after a crack appeared on the underside of a segment of the bridge.
A large crack developed at the base of the south end of the bridge forcing the southbound lanes to be closed indefinitely until repairs are completed, the Florida Department of Transportation said.
Northbound lanes are split to accommodate one northbound lane and one southbound traffic lane. The Old Roosevelt Bridge on Dixie Highway is also closed, Stuart police said early Wednesday.
“Some concrete fell from underneath the Roosevelt Bridge on the southbound side,” said Sgt. Brian Bossio. “It’s unknown why it happened.”
The Coast Guard has set up a safety zone in the area to prevent any commercial boating traffic from going under the bridge. The Coast Guard also issued an advisory via radio overnight.
#BREAKING the @USCG has established a #safetyzone stopping any commercial maritime traffic from transiting under the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Fla. The #USCG is working w/ @MyFDOT & other local agencies in the area for the bridge closure.#Ready, #Relevant, #Responsive
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 17, 2020
The new Roosevelt Bridge was built in 1996 and spans the St. Lucie River in Martin County.
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