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SC: Beaufort River, Lady's Island Bridge, Temporary Deviation - UPDATE
- Date Reported: Oct 23, 2024
- Reporter: Ted Stehle
- Source: CG 7th District LNM 0743/24
- Description:
Deviation/NPRM UPDATE: 10/23/2024 The Coast Guard is proposing to change the operating schedule that governs the Lady's Island (Woods Memorial) Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Beaufort River), mile 536.0, at Beaufort, SC. SCDOT has requested a permanent change to the drawbridge operation regulation for the Lady's Island (Woods Memorial) Bridge. This temporary deviation will test an operating schedule to determine if a permanent change is necessary. Under this temporary deviation, the Lady's Island (Woods Memorial) Bridge shall open on signal; except that the draw need not open from 6 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. and 3:31 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need open only once an hour on the half hour. Public vessels of the United States and tugs with tows, will be passed through anytime.
UPDATE: The Coast Guard has extended the authorized temporary deviation to swing bridge operations at the Lady's Island (Woods Memorial) Bridge. This temporary deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on September 30, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2024. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will be published in the Federal Register. You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2024-0198 using Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. The comment period will end 45 days after published or on or around December 8, 2024. If you have questions on this rulemaking, call or e-mail Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, telephone (305) 415- 6740, email [email protected]. - Lat / Lon: N 32° 25.660' / W 080° 40.209'
5 Boater Comments
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Comment by: Clarke Prescott on Oct 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'I understand wanting to add additional closing hours. When the bridge is closed there are long traffic delays. However drivers have an alternative route available. Route 21 is a 4 lane fixed bridge that is always available. Boaters do not have a safe alternative.
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Comment by: William Mills, Reflections, on Mar 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.8'Having come from Charleston south, it is a significant delay to have this bridge closed from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This creates a hazardous condition for mariners attempting to depart north of the bridge during daylight hours.. Should be 0700 - 0900 at the most.
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Comment by: Mark W on Mar 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.5'The ability to travel under that bridge in daylight hours is critical.
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Comment by: Robert Russo on Mar 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 27'
Draft: 5.0'The Coast Guard will grant whatever a state asks. Requirements to replace opening bridges with fixed bridges are never enforced
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Comment by: Kim on Mar 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.1'As a commuter, I understand automobile traffic needs and the necessity to limit bridge openings during rush hours. However, as an ICW cruiser, I also understand the need to travel from one location to another in daylight hours if possible. These reduced opening hours are too restrictive for allowing slower moving vessels to leave their anchorages or dock slips on the "other side of the bridge " or to arrive in daylight hours as they would need to leave before 6 am or pass through after 7 pm if they had a long journey either to or from the Beaufort area. It would be prudent to add at least one opening during the rush hour closure times to permit vessels that need to leave early in the morning or arrive later in the afternoon to do so.
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