March 5, 1999
Mr.
Joel
Glenn
Environmental
Mgt.
Office
Florida
Dept.
of
Transportation
P.O.
Box
1089
Lake
City,
Florida
32056-1089
Comment to Draft Environmental Impact Statement Regarding the Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, FL
Dear Mr. Glenn,
The enclosed sketch shows a solution for the safe and easy passage of barges through the Bridge of Lions. This "Guide Wall" will help a tug and barge or any vessel with a difficult handling situation make a safe passage during times of strong tide and wind conditions. Though barges vary in size, the standard for INLAND barges is 120’ x 30’. This can be verified by contacting any barge leasing company such as Central Boat at 504-384-8200.
"Guide Walls" are used on every lock I have seen on all the inland waterway systems including the Erie and Welland canals, the inland rivers and Great Lakes as well as the Panama Canal and St. Lawrence River. I have transited all of them many times, in many different vessels, in my thirty years as a licensed Master. Note that on the sketch "guide walls" are longer and meant to be contacted by the barge if necessary, unlike the present bridge fendering.
In addition to the "Guide Wall" it would be very helpful for the operators of tugs, inland cruise vessels, or any vessel with special handling circumstances, to have a bridge approach notice about a mile from the bridge where the bridge tender can be contacted and advised of the approach of this vessel. This would allow the bridge tender to have the bridge open upon the vessels arrival, even if it is not a scheduled opening. This would allow a safe passage during difficult conditions. (Present notice is ½ mile on ICW bridges). This is important as the operator of a tug and barge or large vessel begins his approach alignment some distance from the bridge. In order to maintain good control of the vessel in tidal currents or winds the operator must maintain good steerage speed. To be stopped or slowed by a closed bridge can create a difficulty in maintaining good control and bridge alignment. The "Guide Wall" would offer additional help in this situation.
If "Guide Walls" were installed on all bridges that are difficult to navigate a reduction in bridge and barge collisions would result. The "Guide Wall" concept is a very cost effective solution and a prudent and feasible alternative to replacing this important Historic Bridge for the purpose of widening the horizontal clearance.
The enclosed advertisement for synthetic piling, fendering and dock construction should reduce the long term cost of the "Guide Wall" as this material is not effected by marine pests and weather, is very strong, and would last a very long time.
Sincerely,
Captain Norman E. Dean
