[StBernard] St. Claude Avenue Draw Bridge Operations Change to Accommodate Safe Navigation - Bridge may open during normal commute time curfews because of river levels

[Westley Annis]

Port of New Orleans Remains Open, Despite High Water


St. Claude Avenue Draw Bridge Operations Change to Accommodate Safe
Navigation

 

Motorists who normally use the St. Claude Avenue Bridge should be advised
that the bridge may have to open during rush hour traffic to accommodate the
safe movement of maritime traffic. 

Under normal circumstances, the St. Claude Avenue Bridge over the Inner
Harbor Navigational Canal (Industrial Canal) does not open for barge or ship
traffic during bridge curfew hours, on Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30
a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

 

However, high water conditions are making it difficult for maritime traffic
transiting the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal Lock between the Mississippi
River and the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal (IHNC) to wait for the bridge
curfew to end. Therefore, the Coast Guard has cancelled the normal bridge
curfew that expedites rush-hour vehicular traffic and advised the Port of
New Orleans it should open the St. Claude Avenue Bridge and allow maritime
traffic to go through the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock when the vessel
signals for an opening. 

 

This advisory affects only the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, which is lifted in
coordination with the IHNC Lock; it does not apply to the other draw bridges
that cross the IHNC, such as the Claiborne Avenue Bridge and the Florida
Avenue Bridge. 

 

Aside from the change to bridge operations, there hasn't been a significant
impact to normal operations at the Port of New Orleans despite high water
conditions. All public port facilities in the jurisdiction of the Port of
New Orleans remain open. The Port continues to handle cargo ships and cruise
ships under its normal schedule.

 

The Associated Branch Pilots and the Crescent River Pilots continue to guide
vessels loaded up to 45 feet of draft, the project depth of the Lower
Mississippi River. The Bonnet Carre Spillway, the reservoir that the Corps
of Engineers has opened to divert river water into Lake Pontchartrain, is
located upriver from New Orleans. The spillway operation does not have an
impact on international ship traffic in the Port of New Orleans.

 

"The Port of New Orleans is monitoring the high water situation on a regular
basis and coordinating our activities with the local maritime community, the
Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Port President and
CEO Gary LaGrange. "We don't anticipate any significant impact of the high
water conditions, but we will continue to keep the international shipping
community informed about any conditions that could affect port operations."

 

For up to date readings on river levels, currents and air gap measurements,
visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's PORTS system at
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/index.shtml?port=lm.

 

- End -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the
individual named. If you are not the named addressee, you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this email. Please notify the sender
immediately by email if you have received this email by mistake and delete
this email from your system. If you are not the intended recipient, you are
notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in
reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

St. Bernard Parish Government
8201 West Judge Perez Drive
Chalmette, Louisiana 70043 USA
www.sbpg.net <http://www.sbpg.net> 

WARNING: Although St. Bernard Parish Government has taken reasonable
precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, St. Bernard
Parish Government cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage
arising from the use of this email or attachments.