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News | Traffic

 

Traffic problems along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway will be posted on this page as they are received, and updated as new information is available. Such items might include bridge and lock closures, accidents, and other situations in which traffic flow is impeded or blocked.

 
 

Current Traffic

   

MONDAY, 08/04/08
Radar from New Orleans and visible satellite imagery suggest that tropical storm Edouard is strengthening rapidly, and may be approaching hurricane intensity. A model shows Edouard just off Galveston near sunrise on Tuesday.

MONDAY, 08/04/08
Sector Houston will go to ZULU at 8:00 p.m. this evening in preparation for landfall of tropical storm Edouard. Cargo operations will cease at 10:00 p.m. ZULU is expected to be set for all points between Leland Bowman Lock to the Sector Houston border near Lake Charles this evening.

SUNDAY, 08/03/08
The Port Allen Route at the Morgan City Bridges will be closed tomorrow, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to complete dredging operations near the bridge on the north side.

SUNDAY, 08/03/08
The dredge "Whiterock" will be working in the GIWW from Freeport Harbor to the San Bernard River for the next few weeks. The dredge has requested us to pass single-wide if (and only if) it is safe to do so.

THURSDAY, 07/31/08
A project in the Houma Navigation Canal will limit widths of traffic passage July 31 through August 7. A contractor will have a jack-up barge, drilling rig and crew boat in the center of the canal at approximate mile marker 19.5. The contractor will work daylight hours only, but equipment will remain in place during non-working hours. The positioning of the equipment leaves 50-55 feet of clearance on either side of the barge. The contractor requests slow bell passage after radio contact.

WEDNESDAY, 07/30/08
A second grounding occurred in Baptiste Collette north of Beacon 1. Mariners should favor the north bank as much as possible in this area.

WEDNESDAY, 07/30/08
Mariners are advised to limit drafts to 8 feet 6 inches maximum in the Arroyo Colorado. The route shows evidence of shoaling downstream and at the entrance from the east side.

TUESDAY, 07/29/08
Morgan City is enforcing only high water restrictions at this time. The 600-foot requirement has been eliminated.

TUESDAY, 07/22/08
Contractors are beginning work on the damaged southside fenderworks of the West Port Arthur Bridge today. During the entire construction period, the crane is expected to be positioned against the south bank on the east end of the bridge. The crane barge will not extend past the existing fenderworks and protection cell. Rather, it will be recessed approximately 25 feet from the outer extremity of the protection cell. Horizontal clearance of the bridge should remain at 210 feet during the period.

WEDNESDAY, 07/16/08
Closure of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock will begin August 11 at 7:00 a.m. and continue for approximately 60 days. Total dewatering and major repairs will be completed during the closure. Baptiste Collette dredging is complete and all ATONs are on station at this time. Mariners should consider limiting drafts to 9 feet 6 inches due to an unmaintained portion of the open sound route between Baptiste Collette and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

THURSDAY, 05/01/08
The dredge Everett Fisher will be dredging in San Antonio Bay from Mile Marker 490, DB 12 to Mile Marker 510, DB 12 in Sun Down Bay from May 5 through September 30, 2008. Floating and submerged dredge pipelines will extend behind the dredge and on either side of the channel, crossing the channel and running north and south in the bay to disposal placement areas. Dredging will be performed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The dredge Everett Fisher can be contacted on channel 79 and 16 VHF FM, or by calling 361-920-6800. Thirty minutes notice is required to move the dredge for the channel to be opened. Mariners are urged to transit the area at their slowest speed to minimize wake, and proceed with caution after making passing arrangements with the dredge.

WEDNESDAY, 04/09/08
Fender repair work at the Pensacola Bay Bridge is scheduled to begin May 12 and continue for up to five months. The work will require daylight closures (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Mondays through Fridays with a midday traffic clearing period. The navigation span will be clear of obstructions during nighttime hours and on weekends. Mariners are asked to use extreme caution on approach, and to pass through the channel at minimum wake speed.

MONDAY, 11/13/06
Restrictions at the Galveston Railroad Bridge remain as follows:
1. Tows consisting exclusively of empty barges are limited to 600 feet in length (not including the towing vessel).
2. All tows, empty or loaded, are restricted to a maximum width of 70 feet.
3. Tows made up of loaded and empty barges are unrestricted in length provided that at least half of the barges are loaded.
4. Tows made up of all loaded barges are unrestricted in length.
5. Tows, loaded or empty, are unrestricted in length if operating with a bow steering unit.
6. Westbound tows consisting exclusively of empty barges and including more than one barge must have an assist vessel.

An alternate transit procedure is available to mariners at this location. Restrictions above remain in place. The alternate procedure is optional - not mandatory.

   
 

Color Codes

A problem exists.

Caution is advised.

A problem has been cleared.

   
 

Additional Information

 

Brazos Floodgates current lock status

 

Colorado Locks current lock status, velocity and gauge readings

 

MSO Corpus Christi Port Security Information Bulletins and Marine Security Information

 

Galveston Causeway weather.

  NOAA Dial-a-Buoy
 

NOAA Arkansas River Forecast

 

NOAA Mississippi River Forecast

 

USACE Galveston District current lock status

 

USACE Mobile District navigation page.

 

USACE New Orleans District proposed schedule for major lock repairs

 

USACE New Orleans District current lock status

  USACE New Orleans District current navigation conditions
 

Inner Harbor Navigation Canal bridge repair and maintenance closures

 

Houston/Galveston Vessel Traffic Service

  Texas channel depth report
 

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