[EXPIRED] Causton Bluff Bridge Closed for Repairs, AICW Statute Mile 580, 11/26/2016
Our thanks to Ted Stehle of Waterway Guide and Rick Dammeyer for these notifications. With a closed vertical clearance of 21 feet, the Causton Bluff – Sam Varnedoe Bridge crosses the Waterway at Statute Mile 580. SSECN will post updates ASAP.
Larry,
Just received a call that the bridge is closed until Monday [11/28] morning at the earliest. I called the bridge and was informed it is due to mechanical failure. I have posts on our site. No other details at this time.
Ted
Ted Stehle
Senior Advisor and Skipper Bob Editor
Waterway Guide Media
Hi Larry,
The bridge tender indicates that the bridge at 579.9 is broken and won’t be repaired till Monday.
Call 912.897.2511 for more info.
We expect to hole up in Savanah until we know it is repaired.Ted Stehl is monitoring it at Waterway Guide and posted it on their explorer, but our members probably need an announcement also.
Rick Dammeyer
Promise
Catalina 445
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Causton Bluff – Sam Varnedoe Bridge
32 03.729 North/081 01.794 W
Comments from Cruisers (4)
Causton Bluff Bascules are old, cranky and have a local rep for breaking down. Delay could be long depending on issues.
Alt route for vessels in excess of the 21′ clearance. (Southbound):
At “Fields Cut” / Savannah River Junction (R-50) proceed East along the Savannah River (outbound). Be aware this is a high traffic, large ship channel. Follow the marker chain out through Tybee Roads Inlet. After clearing G-3 proceed SSW aproximately 9 miles to 31 53.771N 80 52.434 W. Proceed West to Wassaw Sound Inlet markers R-10 / G-9. Be aware this enterance is shoal to the north 3-3 1/2 mile out. It is regularly used by large (up to 250′) yachts traveling to TBI yard in Thunderbolt. Excellent water after you enter the marked channel. Proceed along marker chain up the South side of the sound and into the Willmington River. Proceed North to ICW junction at Skidaway River (R-40) or continue on to Thunderbolt.
Used the Wassaw Sound channel for years while I lived on Turner Creek with boats drawing 6′-7′ without a problem. As an area of 7′-8′ tides best to cross bar at high tide, settled weather and good daylight. Plan on burning a full day as it’s a round and about way but may be worth it depending on time for bridge repairs.
The boat that made the unwelcome discovery is S/V Promise, Captains Rick and Susan Dannmeyer, who hit the Lafayette bridge about 10 days ago [see http://cruisersnet.net/161012] . They were headed for St. Simons Island Monday to leave Promise for repairs, now stuck behind Causton Bluff bridge. To add insult to injury they too are now impacted by the severe weather forecast for Tuesday-Thursday next week.
Regards,
Jackie Rosholt
Serenity
Just heard from Jackie Rosholt aboard S/V Serenity that the Causton Bluff (Sam Varnedoe, SR 26) Bridge at MM 579.9 – with closed vertical clearance of 21’ – is closed for maintenance and will not open until Monday, 28th. I followed up with a call to the bridge and they verified the report. The bridge lies between the Savannah River and Thunderbolt Marina.
Would appreciate you helping spread the word.
Thanks
Hank [Carolina Yacht Care, Southport, NC]
Heading south currently in Hilton Head. Have found out that at marker 579.9 Causton Bluff bridge is broken and closed as of yesterday, Friday 11/25. Per the bridge tender they are not even coming to look to repair until Monday, 11/28. Bridge tender # is 912-897-2511 for an update.
Carroll and Rob Greve