• All deep draft vessels, all line tows, and large tows (five or more barges) are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 167.0 to MM 168.0 Above Head of Passes 24 hours per day.
• All southbound vessels shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (“New Orleans Traffic”) at Bringier Point (MM 173.7) on VHF-FM CH-05A.
• All northbound vessels shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (“New Orleans Traffic”) at Nita Light (MM 162.2) on VHF-FM CH-05A.
• Burnside Anchorage from MM 166.5 – 167.0 will be closed to anchoring vessels to provide additional maneuvering area for vessels abiding by one-way traffic criteria.

Waterway Status – Sunshine Bridge Operations
MM 167 – 168 AHP LMR

This Marine Safety Information Bulletin supersedes Volume XVIII, Issues 076 (Sunshine Bridge VTS Measure MM 167 – 168 AHP LMR) and 078 (Sunshine Bridge Closure MM 167 – 168 AHP LMR) with the following provisions:

• The Sunshine Bridge Main Channel span is now open to vessel traffic, with the below measures still in effect:

– All deep draft vessels, all line tows, and large tows (five or more barges) are restricted to one-way traffic from MM 167.0 to MM 168.0 Above Head of Passes 24 hours per day. 
– All southbound vessels shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (“New Orleans Traffic”) at Bringier Point (MM 173.7) on VHF-FM CH-05A.
– All northbound vessels shall check in with the Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River (“New Orleans Traffic”) at Nita Light (MM 162.2) on VHF-FM CH-05A.
– Burnside Anchorage from MM 166.5 – 167.0 will be closed to anchoring vessels to provide additional maneuvering area for vessels abiding by one-way traffic criteria.

• The Sunshine Bridge Alternate (West) Channel span (MM 167.5 RDB) remains closed to all traffic.

Mariners are reminded to transit at slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution.

Updates and/or changes to the published schedule will be broadcast via Safety Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

For additional information about the repair operations, vessels may contact the M/V MR. C on VHF-FM Channel 84 or contact the Coastal Bridge Company at (225) 776-5237.

For further information, contact:

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center:  (504) 365-2200
Coast Guard Waterways Management: (504) 365-2280
Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River: (504) 365-2230, VHF FM Ch. 05A, 12, 67

For a current list of MSIBs within the COTP New Orleans Zone visit: https://homeport.uscg.mil/nola and look under “Safety Notifications”