This MSIB will affect only vessels needing air draft of more than 110ft – i.e. very few of us. However, caution is always the watchword when passing under a bridge in the midst of repairs. Our thanks to Matt the Bridge Tender for this notification.CLICK HERE for a related Nav Alert.

SECTOR HAMPTON ROADS
MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN
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BULLETIN NO: 16/065 TEL: (757) 638-6637, FAX (757) 483-8641
DATE: September 9, 2016
Proposed Gilmerton Bridge Closure Schedule At Mile 5.8 on the Elizabeth River Southern Branch
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This Bulletin serves to update and supersede MSIB 16-046, released on July 8, 2016. All operations listed below are
subject to change due to weather, unforeseen factors or operational contingencies.
Mariners are advised that the Gilmerton Bridge at mile 5.8 on the Elizabeth River Southern Branch experienced a mechanical malfunction and will not be capable of normal operations until 5 a.m. on September 19, 2016.
The scheduled openings remain in effect until Friday, September 16, 2016 at 9 p.m.:
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The bridge has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 36 feet above mean high water and 136 feet above mean high water in the open position. Any vessel able to safely pass through the bridge may do so, after receiving confirmation from the bridge tender that it is safe to transit through the bridge. The bridge tender may be reached at 757-485-5488.
During this temporary deviation, the bridge will open on signal for emergency vessels if at least one hour notice is given. We request that mariners exercise extreme caution while in the vicinity of the bridge.
To affect repairs, the vertical clearance in the open position will be kept at 110 feet above mean high water from 9 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016 through 5 a.m. on Monday, September 19, 2016.
Commander
United States Coast Guard
Sector Hampton Roads
4000 Coast Guard Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23703
Phone: (757) 668-5555
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, contact USCG Sector Hampton Roads, Waterways Management Division at (757) 668-5580 or HamptonRoadsWaterway@uscg.mil.
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Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Bridge Directory Listing For Gilmerton Hwy Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gilmerton Hwy Bridge