Morehead City Railroad Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 204, immediately south of the Newport River Bridge. As the closure period, described below in this article cherry picked from the latest Local Notice to Mariner’s indicates, most AICW mariners will not be inconvenienced by the strictly nighttime closure of this low level span.
However, should you planning to navigate the Waterway through the Beaufort – Morehead City area after 8:30 pm and before 5:00 am. then it will be necessary to use the far more complicated Russell Slue to Gallant Channel, to Taylor Creek, to Beaufort Inlet route.

NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AIWW)
Mariners are advised that effective October 17, 2012 through October 1, 2013; the Coast Guard is temporarily changing the operating schedule that governs the Carolina Coastal Railroad Bridge across Newport River, at AIWW mile 203.8, in Morehead City, NC. To facilitate needed repairs, the drawbridge shall operate as follows: (1) During the day, from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the draw shall be maintained in the open position to vessels and would only be closed for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance; and (2) At night, the draw need not open from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., except an opening would be provided at 12 a.m. (midnight) if advance notice is given before 4 p.m. on the afternoon before the requested opening by calling (954) 658-4661 or via marine radio channels 13 or 16 VHF-FM. Mariners should use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart 11541

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Morehead City Railroad Bridge

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