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The U.S. Coast Guard is warning boaters to avoid the area of the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart due to "risk of an imminent collapse."
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the southbound lanes of the bridge are closed for maintenance. Traffic is being directed to one of the northbound lanes.
A large crack has appeared along the south end of the bridge.
The Coast Guard began warning boaters via scanners just after 2 a.m. Wednesday.
"All stations, all stations, this is United States Coast Guard Center Miami, Florida. All vessels are required to keep clear of the new Roosevelt Bridge until further notice, due to the risk of imminent collapse," the message blared.
In a tweet around 7:30 a.m., the Coast Guard said it's established a safety zone for stopping commercial maritime traffic from going under the Roosevelt Bridge.
#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 Stuart Police Department also wanted drivers to avoid the area, saying the southbound lanes of the bridge are closed until further notice.
🚨🚨Southbound lanes of the Roosevelt Bridge are closed until further notice. Old Dixie Hwy is also closed.
Traffic is moved to 1- lane on the northbound lane for both North/Southbound traffic.
Avoid the area- use alternate routes. #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/8cwxh1oL30
— Stuart Police Dept. (@cityofstuart) June 17, 2020
"What we do know is some concrete fell from underneath the Roosevelt Bridge and there were concerns about the bridge and its safety at that time," Stuart police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bossio said. "We immediately, out of caution, closed down southbound lanes to ensure that it is safe for everyone."
To see inspection scores from local bridges, click here.
