MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN (MSIB) 35-23
NOTIFICATION OF SAFETY ZONE – CAUSTON BLUFF / ISLANDS EXPRESSWAY BRIDGE, WILMINGTON RIVER, SAVANNAH, GA MSIB 35-23.pdf
United States Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Savannah has established a temporary safety zone encompassing the Causton Bluff/Islands Expressway Bridge on the Wilmington River at position 32°03.73' N, 81°01.78' W to begin on Monday, October 2, 2023, continuing until Monday, November 30, 2023. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters for the planned demolition and removal of structural components of the original bridge, in preparation of the construction of a new span.
Demolition operations will take place Monday through Sunday during daylight hours. Periodically while the safety zone is implemented, all vessel traffic will be permitted as reflected in Table 1 below. Notwithstanding the below table, all commercial traffic, with width clearances greater than 40 feet will be permitted passage outside the prescribed windows listed in Table 1 below with prior coordination with the demolition project contractor. (Enclosure 1)
Table 1
Open Times | Width Clearance Limitations |
10:00 am to 10:30 am | Vessels 40 feet or less |
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | No limitations |
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Vessels 40 feet or less |
7:00 pm to 7:00 am | No limitations |
Mariners are reminded to proceed through the demolition area at a safe speed, always maintain situational awareness, and monitor VHF radio channel 16 when in the vicinity of the Causton Bluff Bridge. For further information regarding this MSIB, contact the United States Coast Guard MSU Savannah Shoreside Compliance Division at MSUSavannah-WWM@uscg.mil or Command Duty Officer at (912) 247-0073.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel L. Robinson
Commander, U. S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port Savannah, GA
Enclosure: (1) Maritime Communication Plan
Maritime Communication Plan
GDOT Causton Bluff/Island Expressway Bridge Demolition Project
Wilmington River, Savannah, GA
Atlantic Inter-Coastal Waterway (AICW)
AICW MM 579.9/Lat: N 32° 03.717' / Lon: W 081° 01.783'
October 2, 2023 – November 30, 2023
For all commercial traffic requiring zero-restriction waterway access, outside of the prescribed schedule below, please call Myrick Marine up to 24 hours in advance but not less than 1 hour before arriving at the Causton Bluff Bridge demolition site (AICW MM 579.9) to schedule safe passage. Once scheduled and in the vicinity of the Causton Bluff Bridge, between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily, please notify the LONA MYRICK or GRACE MYRICK on VHF of your arrival and verify your scheduled passage. If applicable, please have your Automated Information System (AIS) energized.
Myrick Marine | (912) 210-6778 |
Tug LONA MYRICK | VHF Channel 10 or 13 |
Tug GRACE MYRICK | VHF Channel 10 or 13 |
U.S. Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to Mariners | VHF Channel 16 and 22 |
TIME | WATERWAY STATUS |
7:00AM -10:00AM | Closed to waterway traffic |
10:00AM – 10:30AM | Open with restriction (width clearance of 40ft or less) |
10:30AM – 12:00PM | Closed to waterway traffic |
12:00PM – 2:00PM | Open without restriction (demolition barge removed from navigational channel) |
2:00PM – 4:30PM | Closed to waterway traffic |
4:30PM – 5:00PM | Open with restriction (width clearance of 40ft or less) |
5:00PM – 7:00PM | Closed to waterway traffic |
7:00PM – 7:00AM (following morning) | Open without restriction (demolition barge removed from navigational channel) |