Alligator River Bridge - Click for Chartview

Capt. Hartman’s report below indicates that, contrary to earlier notices (see notices below), closures are occurring during daylight hours and are affecting navigation.

A project will begin later this month that will require closing the bridge that carries U.S. 64 over the Alligator River for the first half of April.
The N.C. Department of Transportation said preliminary work on the bridge between Dare and Tyrrell counties will start March 18 and will require intermittent lane [vehicular] closures, with one-lane, one-way traffic controlled by flaggers.
The bridge will be closed to all [vehicle] traffic from April 2 through April 14 as crews swing the bridge into the open position, raise it up with supports and secure both ends to replace several mechanical parts.
The Lindsay C. Warren Bridge was built in 1960 and opens more than 500 times each month, the NCDOT said in a statement.
Due to the amount of use, the mechanical components of the bridge are worn, and rehabilitation work is being performed in an effort to prevent future closures, according to the news release.
Sam Walker, March 5, 2013

March 14, 2013
NC ‘“ ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW) ‘“ NORTH CAROLINA CUT
Mariners are advised that the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be perform inspection and testing of the drawbridge’s lock and the repaired pinion mechanism on the US 64 Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 84.2, across Alligator River in Columbia NC. The drawbridge will close at night from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., on Thursday, April 11, 2013, with rain dates on April 12 and April 13, 2013. When the drawbridge is closed, vessels that are capable may pass beneath the bridge’s 14-foot vertical clearance, above mean high water. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when transiting the area.

And Capt. Hartman’s report from the bridge channel:

Today (Saturday April 13) there was an emergency closure of the bridge to boat traffic. I had to wait at least an hour and a half. I heard a notification regarding this situation only minutes before I was about to call and request and opening. I monitor 16 and 13 all day,
When I passed through, I noticed they kept the swing bridge open (closed to auto traffic). However, an hour or so lager, I heard the bridge tender on channel 13 explaining to another vessel that the bridge would once again be closed 1.5 to 2 hours or more. I don’t know how long this situation will continue.
Kevin Hartman

Click Here To View the North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For the Alligator River Bridge