With a closed vertical clearance of 21 feet, the Causton Bluff – Sam Varnedoe Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 580. See UPDATE 2 below. Our thanks to Ted Arisaka for this updated LNM.

GEORGIA – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY – BEAUFORT RIVER TO ST. SIMON SOUND – WILMINGTON RIVER CAUSTON BLUFF (ISLAND EXPWY) SR 26 BRIDGE: Bridge Replacement / Temporary Deviation- UPDATE

Prince Contracting has been contracted by the Georgia Department of Transportation to replace the CR 787 (Island Expressway) Drawbridges across the AICW (Wilmington River), at mile 579.9, in Savannah, GA. The bridge replacement project will replace the existing dual span bascule bridges with dual span high level fixed bridges. When completed, the new high-level fixed bridges will provide a horizontal clearance of 170 feet between the fender system and a vertical clearance 65 feet at Mean High Water (MHW). The project has started and is estimated to be completed November 2021. Work barges and associated equipment may be located in the vicinity of the bridge but will not impede the navigational channel. All mariners are requested to use caution when transiting the area. For additional waterway information, please contact Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah at (912) 652-4353.
UPDATE 1: Causton Bluff / Islands Expressway Bridge is allowed single-leaf operations utilizing the drawbridge operating schedule in 33 CFR 117.353(b) from 6 a.m. on August 26, 2019 through 6 a.m. on February 21, 2020. A full opening will be provided during daylight hours only with a 48 hour advanced notice to the bridge tender. Vessels that can pass without an opening may do so at any time.
UPDATE 2: Captain of the Port Savannah will be authorizing waterway closures at the Causton Bluff Bridges. These closures are anticipated to begin mid-September 2019 through October 2019. Actual dates and times to be determined.

GEORGIA – WILMINGTON RIVER: TEMPORARY SAFETY ZONE FOR THE CAUSTON BLUFF BRIDGE PROJECT
A temporary safety zone has been established for all waters on the Wilmington River in Savannah, GA
1,000 feet on the north and south side of the Islands Expressway Bridge. This temporary safety zone will
be in effect from September 18, 2019 to September 20, 2019, September 23, 2019 to September 27,
2019, September 30, 2019 to October 4, 2019, October 14, 2019 to October 18, 2019, and October 21,
2019 to October 22, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM local time. Weather contingency
days have been factored into the timeframe. If a safety zone is not enforced on weather contingency
days, the Coast Guard will notify the public via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and will update the Local
Notice to Mariners. Entry into this area by any vessel is prohibited unless otherwise authorized by
Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah. If entry is authorized, all persons and vessels must obey any
direction or order of COTP Savannah or direct representative. The COTP Savannah may be contacted by
phone at (912) 652-4353. VHF-FM channel 16 will also be monitored for any concerned traffic.

Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Causton Bluff Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Causton Bluff Bridge