Bay Bridge Clearances

[SailinJay]

Does anyone know a source for a definitive set of clearances for the William P. Lane Bridge, better known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge? I know that the center span clearance is 180 feet, but I am looking for clearances all along the bridge, especially the portion to the left of the center span, as you look north from the water as you approach the bridge. I checked my charts last night but could not find a listing of clearances. Thanks.

[aclosereachaway]

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that connects the eastern shore to mainland VA?

[SailinJay]

No, the bridge that crosses the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis over to the Maryand Eastern Shore.

[TAK]

Originally Posted by SailinJay

Does anyone know a source for a definitive set of clearances for the William P. Lane Bridge, better known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge? I know that the center span clearance is 180 feet, but I am looking for clearances all along the bridge, especially the portion to the left of the center span, as you look north from the water as you approach the bridge. I checked my charts last night but could not find a listing of clearances. Thanks.

I know this is an old question but it was never answered that I can tell and I was wonder the samething over the weekend when I went under her..

Is there some place that identifies the clearance at different parts of the bridge?

[JohnRPollard]

The Eastern Channel has a clearance of only 58 feet. Along with the Chesapeake Channel (186 feet), those are the only heights my chart provides.

I think one of the reasons for this is the slope of the bridge. The roadway above the two designated channels is relatively flat, so it is easier to have a minimum height figure.

I think the other reason is that there are many spans and it would be very easy to confuse which is which. Given the slope between them, confusing which span you're passing under could be a big problem.

I expect there are some engineering drawings somewhere that would answer the question. But I doubt they'd ever put the info on a chart out of concern for causing a mishap.

[painkiller]

Mr. Pollard,

This sounds like a good opportunity for you and I to do some public good by bravely trying all of the bridge spans this weekend and documenting our results, good and bad. We'll take your boat.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by painkiller

Mr. Pollard,

This sounds like a good opportunity for you and I to do some public good by bravely trying all of the bridge spans this weekend and documenting our results, good and bad. We'll take your boat.

Actually, we'll need something with a taller mast.... I'm sure Jeff H won't mind if we "borrow" his boat. "For the greater good of the service."

[TAK]

Link to the bridge:

Charts/chartViewer.html?viewRegion=Atlantic&viewChart=Chesapeake-Bay-Eastern-Bay-South-River--Selby-Bay" target="_blank">Nautical Chart Viewer

Let me know how that study goes..
In the meantime i think I am going to stick to the middle .. wiping my sweat off..

[Jeff_H]

That's funny...I have gone through the spans that are outboard of the buttresses and islands without problem. I usually figure that I am close to 60 feet to the top of my windex/vhf whip, but could be less.

Jeff

[T37SOLARE]

I can say that there was a Hunter 38 (60'7") from our marina that hit the bridge this spring. What span they were going through I can't say but they lost the rig at the fractional forestay. The story is they were healing, then luffed up in between the spans and hit the second span.

Insurance payed for a new rig, rigging, main & jib....