Pisctataqua River Marine Traffic Closure Alert

Memorial Bridge/Wikimedia

The Coast Guard is reminding mariners that the Piscataqua River, in the vicinity of the Memorial (US-1) Bridge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will be closed to all marine traffic from 7:00 a.m. on February 6, 2012, to approximately 7:00 a.m. on February 9, 2012.

The closure is necessary to provide for the safety of all waterway users and construction workers during the demolition of the Memorial Bridge.

The Coast Guard has published a Temporary Interim Rule in the Federal Register that establishes a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) to encompass a 300-yard radius over all navigable waters on the Piscataqua River, surface to bottom, in the vicinity of the Memorial Bridge construction zone in between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Badgers Island in Kittery, Maine. The RNA is in effect from January 30, 2012, to December 31, 2013.

To minimize unexpected or uncontrolled movement of water during hazardous construction operations, the RNA will limit vessel speed and wake for all vessels operating in the vicinity of the bridge construction zone, as well as provide a means to suspend all vessel traffic for emergent situations that pose an imminent threat to waterway users in the area.

After the 72-hour closure, the navigable water will reopen to all vessel traffic. However, the RNA will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, to ensure safety during NHDOT’s bridge-replacement project, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2013.

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