A Marine Professional’s Frustration, Beaufort, NC, AICW Statute Mile 201
The current Grayden Paul Bridge over Gallant Channel in Beaufort is a bascule bridge with a closed vertical clearance of 13ft. Adams Creek and Gallant Channel connect southbound Waterway cruisers to the Beaufort waterfront.
The new Grayden Paul Bridge (/?p=143433) will have a fixed vertical clearance of 65ft and a horizontal clearance of 100ft. However, it is obvious from Skipper Cole’s follow-up comments below that the new bridge does indeed impose restrictions on certain vessels. One can understand and sympathize with the frustrations of a marine professional fighting to stay in business.
Having worked in a boat yard for many years, I understand after living in the area 41 years,that Adams creek is not part of the inland waterway. I have read many articles saying it is so. Please get the facts straight. This new bridge is putting our boat restoration business Out of work. Can’t the NCDOT understand that they are putting a lot of people out of work. Many boats have left the area to go to Charleston, Savannah, and Florida. This bridge if built will also impede the shrimp boats.
Judith Cole
August 30, 2014
As Skipper Cole makes clear, the 65ft vertical clearance imposes restrictions on those boat yards who have been servicing vessels in need of greater than 65ft vertical clearance.
Dear Larry , When you compared the new unbuilt bridge 65 ft. Against the present bridge. You failed in your comparison by only stating that it is only 13ft. The Grayden Paul bridge is a draw bridge when it is open the height can not be measured large tall ships with masts a lot higher than 65 feet have been using this bridge before either you or I were born. Please in your next writing quit trying to hide the truth. This new bridge will ruin the tall ships waterway . Adams creek is not part of the waterway,it needs it’s own specific concerns . Tall ships need their own consideration. Does hiding things from the public make it right. No, it is not honest.
Judith Cole
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gallants Channel
Comments from Cruisers (1)
I’d love more of an explanation both about Adam’s Creek and the bridge project! I’ve been traversing Adams Creek for many years and didn’t realize that. On the bridge project, I believe that if we had more detail on how the new bridge will negatively impact business people, we would go to bat for them.