The Coast Guard is proposing to change the schedule of the Ladies Island Bridge at Beaufort SC, extending the morning closure period by an additional half hour and the afternoon closure period by an additional hour, and hourly openings between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The proposed changes would be excluded in April, May, October and November to help ease ICW traffic during the peak migration season.

The proposed changes: 

Months other than April, May, October and November:

Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays: 

• From 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the draw need not open
• Between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the draw need open only on the hour. 

At all other times the draw shall open on signal.

April, May, October and November (this is also the current schedule):

Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays: 

• From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the draw need not open
• Between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the draw need open only on the hour and half-hour. 

At all other times the draw shall open on signal.

Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before July 11, 2016. You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2015-0343 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. 

The Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge – aka Ladies Island Swing Bridge – connects Downtown Beaufort with Lady's Island, crossing the ICW at Mile 536 just "north" of Downtown Marina of Beaufort. With a closed vertical clearance of 30 feet, cruising sailboats must plan their travels. 

In October of 2014, Beaufort City and County officials asked the U.S. Coast Guard for a much more restrictive change to the opening schedule – only four openings during daylight hours per weekday – citing issues with road traffic backups and emergency response. The USCG conducted a test period in 2015 similar to the newly proposed schedule; however, inexplicably, weekends and holidays were included in those restrictions. The test period ended in November 2015 and the bridge has opened on its normal schedule since.

From the Federal Register:

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Lady's Island Bridge, across the Beaufort River, Mile 536.0 at Beaufort, SC. This modification would allow Lady's Island Bridge to remain closed during peak vehicular traffic times. The bridge owner, South Carolina Department of Transportation, requested this action to assist in reducing traffic caused by bridge openings.

The City of Beaufort, South Carolina requested that the bridge owner and the U.S. Coast Guard modify the operating schedule for Lady's Island Bridge to reduce vehicular traffic in the City of Beaufort and surrounding communities. On February 17th, 2015, Coast Guard Sector Charleston Waterways Management (WWM) staff observed the Lady's Island Bridge operations between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. During the observation period, the staff discussed potential changes with the Bridge owner, South Carolina Department of Transportation. Additionally, WWM met with the Beaufort County South Carolina traffic manager to discuss bridge opening impacts.

On August 5th, 2015, a Temporary Deviation, entitled, “Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Little River to Savannah River,” was published in the Federal Register [USCG-2015-0343] [80 FR 46492] to evaluate whether changing the bridge opening schedule would assist in reducing traffic congestion. This deviation was in effect through November 3rd, 2015.

During the deviation period the Coast Guard received six comments, five of which recommended retaining the operating schedule currently found at 33 CFR 117.911(f). One comment proposed a bridge opening during the morning and afternoon vehicular traffic rush hours. Based on the Coast Guard's observation of bridge use during peak traffic hours, the existing schedule would continue to create an unreasonable amount of vehicle traffic during morning and afternoon commutes and generally during daylight hours. One comment further suggested not changing the existing schedule during certain times of the year when increased vessel traffic is expected. The Coast Guard adopted this proposal because would meet the reasonable needs of navigation.

The Lady's Island Bridge in Beaufort, South Carolina has a vertical clearance of 30 feet at Mean High Water in the closed position. The existing drawbridge schedule can be found in 33 CFR 117.911(f).

The Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR 117.911(f). This proposed regulation would modify timeframes the bridge may remain closed. It would extend the morning closure period, when the bridge is authorized to remain closed, by an additional half hour and the afternoon closure period by an additional hour. It would also set an hourly opening schedule between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the Bridge will open on the hour, thereby reducing hourly openings from twice an hour to once an hour during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. This proposed regulation would reduce vehicle backups without unreasonably restricting vessel traffic, thereby balancing the needs of both modes of transportation. No changes to the existing regulation will be implemented during the months of April, May, October and November because higher vessel traffic volumes exist during these time periods. At all other times, this bridge will open on signal.

Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before July 11, 2016.

You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2015-0343 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Show citation box

See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

See Nav Alert on the Waterway Guide Explorer.