Drawbridge Lockdowns To Begin Sunday Morning

MIAMI, FL — As Tropical Depression Eta approaches South Florida, Miami-Dade County will begin locking down all drawbridges on the Miami River and the Intercoastal Waterway eight hours in advance of expected tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph. These bridges will be closed to marine navigation once lockdowns are complete and will remain closed for the duration of severe weather and until the drawbridges and waterways can be assessed for damages.

The county will coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard to lock down affected drawbridges.

The port captain is expected to issue a notice to mariners that all bridges under the purview of the U.S. Coast Guard will be locked down by Sunday. Miami-Dade County and FDOT are preparing to begin lockdown procedures at 6 a.m. on Sunday. All mariners must seek safe harbor before that time.

In Miami-Dade County, drawbridges over the Miami River will be closed sequentially starting from the westernmost to the easternmost bridge (upstream to downstream). Drawbridges over the Intracoastal Waterway will be closed sequentially starting from the southernmost to the northernmost bridge. Drawbridges will re-open in the opposite sequence.

The first bridge to be locked down is the Tamiami Canal Bridge, followed by the 27th Avenue Bridge and all other Miami River bridges. This closure will continue eastward to the mouth of the Miami River.

For more information regarding the county’s bridge lockdown, call 311. Mariners are encouraged to frequently check the USCG Notice to Mariners for updates.