NC – ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY (AICW) – NORTH CAROLINA CUT

Mariners are advised that a construction firm, on behalf of U. S. Marine Corps. Base Camp Lejeune, will continue to construct a new bridge to replace the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 240.7, at Camp Lejeune, NC. Construction activities which began in October 2022, are expected to finish in February 2025. During the construction period, outside of the extended closure periods listed below, to facilitate construction and installation of the new bridge superstructure, the new bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the existing Onslow Beach Swing Bridge, will open on demand, from noon to 1 p.m.; Monday through Friday; excluding Federal holidays, from October 7,
2024, through December 20, 2024.
Vessels unable to safely transit the new bridge with the reduced clearances during the non-extended closure periods above from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., should:
(1) adjust their voyage plan, if able, to transit through the new bridge and the existing bridge outside of the closure period or from noon to 1 p.m. during the closure period, or
(2) if not able to adjust their voyage plan, may transit through the bridges upon arrival, if at least a 24-hour prior notice is given to the onsite project foreman.
To facilitate construction of the bascule span (structural steel), the new bridge will remain in the closed-to-navigation position and will not be able to open at any time during the extended bridge closure periods, as reflected below:
Primary Closure Timeframe:
from 7 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024
from 7 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024
Alternative Closure Timeframe:
from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, through 9 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2024
from 7 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024
During all closure periods above, the new bridge will have a vertical clearance of approximately 15 feet above mean high water in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of approximately 20 feet. Vessels that can safely transit through the new bridge with the reduced clearances may do so at any time.
At all other times, the existing Onslow Beach Swing Bridge will operate in accordance with Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 117.821(a)(1), and the new bridge will remain open to navigation.
To facilitate construction of the new bridge fender system, a work barge will be placed in the navigation channel of the new bridge from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays from October 7, 2024, through 5 p.m. on December 20, 2024. The work barge will be located in the navigation channel of the new bridge which will reduce the horizontal clearance of the new bridge to approximately 20 feet.
Two barges, a support vessel, and crew boat will be operating or stationed in the vicinity of the existing and new bridges. Temporary work platforms will be in place for the duration of construction of the new bridge and demolition of the existing bridge. The work barges, work vessels and bridge tender may be reached on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16, and the onsite project foreman may be contacted at 910-520-1319, when work is in progress or vessels are operating the area. Mariners should navigate the waterway with extreme caution and due regard for prevailing conditions on the waterway. 

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