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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

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.