With a closed vertical clearance of 7ft, the Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge is the third ICW RR bridge south of Mile Zero. The one-hour openings will require careful planning. Our thanks to Matt the Bridge Tender for this MSIB update. See Request for Comments.

MSIB 08-21

January 8, 2021

Elizabeth River – Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge – Bridge Repairs

Mariners are advised that bridge repairs will be performed on the Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 5.8, at Chesapeake, VA.

To conduct these repairs, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position during the following periods:

• Wednesday, January 13, 2021: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday, January 14-15, 2021: 6 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, January 16, 2021: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

At all other times, the bridge will operate normally as required by regulation. The vertical clearance of the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position is 7 feet above mean high water.  Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time.  The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position.  Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly and use caution when transiting the area.

Please note the different dates and conditions from those originally proposed in MSIB 20-409.

Additional bridge maintenance has been proposed to take place in March. Further information on that maintenance period will be announced in a future bulletin.

This information will be included in the Local Notice to Mariners for the 5th District.

For any questions or concerns regarding this issue, please contact the United States Coast Guard Sector Virginia Waterways Management Division duty officer at 757-374-3408 or by email at VirginiaWaterways@uscg.mil. 

#