SIMPSON BAY - Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation Managing Director Russell Voges, says that bridge repair and maintenance works will begin on November 6 until 14.
Vehicular traffic will not be affected, but maritime traffic will have to work with two opening times on a daily basis from Friday, November 6 to Saturday, November 14, namely 6.30am and 6.00pm for outbound and inbound movement of vessels.
During the late evening hours, the bridge will be opened for short periods of time of no more than 15 minutes in order to be able to finalize the conservation of the underlying sides of the bridge deck.
On Sunday, November 8 only, the bridge will open during the three regular opening hours of 9.30am, 11.30am, and 5.30pm for outbound and inbound maritime traffic.
From Sunday, November 15 until Monday, November 30, the bridge will open during the three normal opening hours of 9.30am, 11.30am, and 5.30pm for outbound and inbound maritime traffic.
As of Tuesday, December 1, the opening times will go from three to six per day for the season, which runs from December 2009 to May 2010.
The daily seasonal openings will be: 9.00am outbound, 9.30am inbound, 11.00am outbound, 11.30am inbound, 4.30pm outbound and 5.30pm inbound.
Contractor Hofman Sliedrecht NV will be carrying out the maintenance works.
The maintenance works entails the strengthening of two main girders and subsequent conservation of the structure; the repair of the bridge fenders; the finalization of the electrical circuits and the standardizing of the traffic lights for maritime and vehicular traffic.
Motorists are advised to pay extra attention while crossing the bridge. A bucket truck will be parked on the sidewalks of the bridge deck and motorist should exercise caution when passing.
Considerable investments have been made to the bridge and everyone has a role to play in the longevity and safety of the bridge structure including those who transit in and out of the lagoon. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority would like to apologize for any inconvenience that the maintenance works will cause during the period of November 6 to 14.
At the conclusion of all repair and maintenance activities, representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Water Management will inspect the works that have been executed and prepare a report for the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority.