Log In
/-76.2947166667,36.775,12/500x250?access_token=pk.eyJ1Ijoid2F0ZXJ3YXlndWlkZSIsImEiOiJGRmM1RDdzIn0.Wya5yV5QEqbz0-fct8zyIA)
Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge
- Mile Marker: 5.8
- Lat / Lon: N 36° 46.500' / W 076° 17.683'
- Bridge Type: Bascule
- Vertical Clearance (Closed): 7.00 ft.
- Horizontal Clearance: 125.00 ft.
- Schedule:
Below is the normal operating procedure.
(1) The draw shall be remotely controlled by the operator at the Norfolk Southern #5 Railroad Bridge office over the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, at mile 1.1, in Norfolk. (2) The draw shall be left in the open position to vessels and will only be closed for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part. (3) Trains shall be controlled so that any delay in opening of the draw shall not exceed ten minutes except as provided in section 117.31(b). (4) Before the bridge closes for any reason, the off-site remote operator will monitor waterway traffic in the area with closed circuit cameras and motion sensors mounted on the bridge. The bridge will only be closed if the off-site remote operator's visual inspection shows that the channel is clear and there are no vessels transiting in the area. (5) While the bridge is moving from the full open position to the full closed position, the off-site remote operator will maintain constant surveillance of the navigation channel to ensure that no conflict with maritime traffic exists. In the event of failure or obstruction, the off-site remote operator will stop and return the bridge to the full open position to vessels. In the event of a failure or obstruction, a bridge tender must be called by the off-site remote operator and must be on-site within 30 minutes of the call to operate the bridge. (6) During closing of the span, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn will sound twice, and an audio voice warning device will announce bridge movement, then two repeat blasts of the horn will sound until the bridge is seated and locked down. When the bridge is seated and locked down to vessels, the channel traffic lights will flash red. (7) During the open span movement, the channel traffic lights will flash red, the horn will sound twice, followed by a pause, and then five repeat blasts of the horn will sound until the bridge is in the full open position to vessels. In the full open position to vessels, the bridge channel traffic lights will turn from flashing red to flashing green then an audio warning device will announce bridge movement by stating "Security, security, security, the Norfolk Southern #7 Railroad Bridge at mile 5.8 is open for river traffic". (8) Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day on marine channel 13 and via telephone (757) 924-5320.
Editor's Note: Bridge schedules are subject to temporary change due to repairs, maintenance, events, etc. Check the Waterway Explorer for possible nav alerts. - VHF Channel: 13
- Phone: 757-446-5320
DISCLAIMER: Bridge heights and clearances are published from sources and records provided by various state and federal entities. Waterway Guide Media does not warrant the information as accurate. Water depth, placement of on-location signage and other variables may impact published horizontal and vertical clearances. Exercise caution when transiting.
4 Boater Comments
-
Comment by: Pam & Terry Partis on May 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.8'Plan on potentially waiting a long time for this bridge. We've been waiting 45 minutes & a train just appeared. Then the train stopped on the bridge for another 10 minutes.
View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
-
Comment by: Tom Obrien on Sep 29, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 82'
Draft: 6.0'Try the phone number for the #5 bridge that remotely operates this bridge. 757-446-5320
View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
-
Comment by: Len Barton, Short Dog II, on Mar 13, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'If this bridge is down, good luck getting an opening. The phone doesn’t answer and the tender keeps telling you it’s going to open in a few minutes. Plan on waiting and waiting.
View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
-
Comment by: Len on Jun 12, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 1.5'I've been stuck with this bridge closed for extended periods twice in the last two weeks. One of those delays was over 90 minutes. I was also stuck behind the train bridge that is closer to Norfolk during the same trip. It appears there is an issue with traffic and the train bridges that needs some attention in Chesapeake and Norfolk.
View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
