Drawbridge openings scheduled

NEW BERN — As summer nears, motorists are finding themselves waiting in line on Alfred Cunningham Memorial Bridge as boaters make their way to New Bern and local pleasure craft take to the Neuse River.

Although the number of bridge openings and closings has dramatically decreased since the BridgePoint Marina closed, from now to October is the busiest time of the year for bridge tenders.

“It’s picking up now,” said John Shikoluk, bridge operator supervisor on the Alfred Cunningham Memorial Bridge. “The snowbirds are traveling. It seems like they come to New Bern for a stopover of a day or two. We see a lot of that, and people up the Trent River wanting to go for pleasure rides.”

Shikoluk said the bridge tenders are averaging 100 to 150 lifts a month.

“Prior to the BridgePoint Marina closing, we were averaging 200 to 300 lifts a month,” he said.

It takes six to eight minutes for the bridge to open and close, a little longer when there are several boats waiting, Shikoluk said.

To lessen the chance of having to wait, the city and U.S. Coast Guard set a schedule for opening and closing the drawbridge.

The drawbridge over the Trent River opens on demand except for several exceptions.

Monday through Friday, it is closed for pleasure vessels from 6:30-8:30 a.m., but will open at 7:30 a.m. for any pleasure vessel awaiting passage.

During afternoons Monday through Friday, the drawbridge closes from 4-6 p.m. to pleasure craft, opening at 5 p.m. for vessels awaiting passage.

From May 24 through Sept. 8, the drawbridge may remain closed from 2-7 p.m. on Sundays and federal holidays, but will open on the hour and half hour for vessels awaiting passage.

The drawbridge opens upon requests at all times for public vessels of the United States (documented vessel), vessels for public safety, commercial vessels, tugs with or without barges and all vessels in distress.

Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at eddie.fitzgerald@newbernsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.