Bridge type | Bascule |
Closed vertical clearance | 35' |
Vhf | 9 |
Schedule | Opens every half hour. |
The Donald Ross Bascule Bridge crosses the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile Marker 1009.3 with a relatively high vertical clearance of 35 feet and 90 feet of horizontal space in the center span. The bridge has a restricted opening schedule, opening on the hour and half-hour.
Keep in mind that overhead cables limit the open vertical clearance of this bridge to 65 feet. Otherwise, despite sometimes-heavy traffic, this twin-span draw is easy to navigate.
Depending on the schedule, the bridge can be opened by horn signal (one long, one short) or by hailing the bridge tender on VHF Channel 09. (All bridges in the state of Florida must be hailed on VHF Channel 09.)
Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.