[StBernard] bridges

[Westley Annis]

The Claiborne Ave. Bridge was repaired and is now open to vehicular traffic. Thanks to the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office for assisting NOPD with keeping traffic flowing across the St. Claude Bridge while Claiborne was out of service. They were there in the rainstorm, too. Florida Avenue Bridge will now operate as usual, meaning vehicles can cross from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday only. 

To check the status of any Port of New Orleans bridges, go to www.portno.com, link to Citizen Resources, link to Bridge Operations and Curfews.  You'll find up to date info like this:


The Port of New Orleans owns and operates four (4) bridges across the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal (Industrial Canal).   Periodically they are closed for maintenance and repairs.  The following is a list of planned closures and curfews for these bridges: 
For bridge comments or questions, email Deborah Keller, Director of Port Development, kellerd at portno.com or call 504-528-3297, Mon thru Friday 8am to 5pm. 
Bridge Operation Normal.
St. Claude Ave.
(504) 943-4493 (not working)
(504) 319-3018 (cell)
Marine Channel 14
 <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearStC.pdf> (Bridge Clearances) <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearStC0707.pdf> 
The Florida Ave. bridge is operating continuously to coincide with Norfolk Southern Railroad's current rail schedule requirements, as well as accommodate vehicular traffic Monday thru Friday, from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm. The bridge will be held in the raised position for marine traffic and lowered only for rail traffic as needed.
Florida Ave.
(504) 945-8113 (not working)
(504) 606-3542 (cell)
Marine Channel 14
 <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearStC.pdf> (Bridge Clearances) <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearFla0707.pdf> 
Bridge Operation Normal however pedestrians, vehicles, and trains cannot access bridge due to damages resulting from hurricane Katrina.
Almonaster Ave.
(504) 945-3112 (not working)
(504) 710-3025 (cell) 
Marine Channel 13
(Bridge Clearances) <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearAlmon.pdf> 
The Seabrook bridge is open to marine traffic and closes only for train crossings.
Seabrook
(504) 282-7070 (not working)
(504) 377-7541 (cell)
Marine Channel 16
(Bridge Clearances) <http://www.portno.com/pdfs/ClearSea.pdf> 

Bridge Curfews (No Openings for Marine Traffic)

The Florida Avenue, St. Claude Avenue, Almonaster Avenue bridges and the Seabrook Railroad bridge are operated by the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.

The Senator Ted Hickey (Seabrook Vehicular Bridge) is operated by the Orleans Levee District.

The Judge Seeber (Claiborne Ave.) and Danzinger Bridge (Chef Menteur Highway) are operated by the LA Dept. of Transportation.

HOURS BRIDGES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OPEN FOR MARINE TRAFFIC:

The vehicular bridges operate under federal regulation 33 CFR 117.458 which reads:
§ 117.458 Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, New Orleans.

(a) The draws of the LA Highway 46 (St. Claude Avenue) bridge, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock), the LA Highway 39 (Judge Seeber/Claiborne Avenue) bridge, mile 0.9 (GIWW mile 6.7 East of Harvey Lock), and the Florida Avenue bridge, mile 1.7 (GIWW mile 7.5 East of Harvey Lock), shall open on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, the draws need not open for the passage of vessels. The draws shall open at any time for a vessel in distress.

(b) The draw of the US Highway 90 (Danziger) bridge, mile 3.1, shall open on signal; except that, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the draw shall open on signal if at least four hours notice is given, and the draw need not be opened from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

(c) The draw of the Leon C. Simon Blvd. (Senator Ted Hickey) bridge, mile 4.6, shall open on signal; except that, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, the draw need not be opened.
 
For information about the IH-NC locks operated by the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers north of the St. Claude Bridge, go to :
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/od/lockupdates/lockstatus.asp?lockid=3 <http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/od/lockupdates/lockstatus.asp?lockid=3>