US 74 Bridge - Click for Chartview

US 74 Bridge has a closed vertical clearance of 20ft [18ft until March of 2014] and crosses the Waterway in the heart of Wrightsville Beach. Originally scheduled to end May 1, the reduced horizontal clearance of these repairs will not affect most cruisers, but the movements of the barge and crane might. Obviously, the 24hr closed-to-navigation dates below will affect vessels requiring more than 20ft vertical clearance.

July 24, 2013 – note that according to this latest notice, posted below, the S. R. 74/Wrightsville Beach Bridge will be COMPLETELY CLOSED to all vessels from early evening, Monday, August 19 to to early evening August 20. To translate that, if you need to get through the Wrightsville Beach Bridge on the evening or during the nighttime of Monday, August 19, or anytime Tuesday, August 20, before 7:00 pm, you are out of luck!

NC ‘“ ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AICW)
To facilitate mechanical repairs, mariners are advised that the S.R. 74 Bridge across AICW mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach NC will now be closed to vessels requiring an opening beginning at 7 p.m., on Monday, August 19, 2013 until and including at 7 p.m., on Tuesday August 20, 2013. In the event of inclement weather, the alternate dates and times will begin at 7 p.m., on Monday August 26, 2013 ending at 7 p.m., on Tuesday August 27, 2013. During this closure period, emergency vessel openings will be provided if notice is given to the bridge tender at (910) 256-4519 or via marine radio on channel 13 VHF. At all other times, the drawbridge will operate in accordance with the operating regulations set out in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117.821(a) (4). Currently in the closed position to vessels for structural repairs, the available vertical clearance is reduced to approximately 18 feet above MHW. Vessels that can pass under the drawbridge without an opening may do so at any time. Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly and use extreme caution when transiting the area. Chart 11541

NC ‘“ NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND ‘“ (AICW) – NEW RIVER TO CAPE FEAR RIVER ‘“ WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH – BRIDGE REPAIRS
1. Bridge rehabilitation on the US 74/76 Bascule Bridge at mile 283.1 on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina has been extended until March 1, 2014.
2. To facilitate repairs a crane barge will reduce the available horizontal clearance in the navigable channel from 90 feet to 50 feet. A one hour advance notice is required to remove the barge from the channel for vessels requiring greater than 50 feet horizontal clearance to safely navigate through the bridge. The US 74/76 bascule bridge tender can be contacted on VHF-FM channels 13 or 16 to arrange removal of the barge from the channel.
3. Mariners are urged to transit the area with caution at slow no wake speeds.
4. For any comments or questions, contact the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Waterways Management, (252) 247-4525, or at joseph.m.edge@uscg.mil

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For SR 74 Bridge

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