Representative Brian Mast Announces $78.9 Million Federal Grant for St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge Replacement
Representative Brian Mast, the incumbent Republican for Florida's 21st Congressional District, has announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $78.9 million grant to the City of Stuart. This funding is designated for the replacement of the St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge. The current bridge, described as a century-old drawbridge, is considered too low, too narrow, and frequently gets stuck in the closed position. The grant is part of a larger $262 million project aimed at replacing this outdated infrastructure. The new design will feature a double-track structure, significantly increasing both horizontal and vertical clearances. This development follows a previous action by the Coast Guard last September, which issued a final ruling on the bridge's operating schedule, keeping it open by default and limiting closures. The new funding is expected to fully address the long-standing issues with the bridge. 
