Safety Zones in Place around the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

SEATTLE (June 16, 2006) - Multiple moving safety zones will be in place Monday through November 12, 2006 for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge construction area. The safety zones are in place to ensure boaters are not harmed or do not impede operations during the lifting and installation of the 420-ton steel bridge deck sections. There will be a 500-foot moving safety zone directly below the lifting beams used to install the bridge deck. The beams will also have white flashing lights on them to warn boaters of the hazards in the construction area.

The 500-foot moving safety zone around the construction barge Marmack 12 will be active at all times. This barge will be used to transport the bridge deck sections from heavy-lift vessels to their appropriate position underneath the bridge.

In addition to the safety zone, the waters beneath the west span of both bridges will be closed for the duration of the project. This area will be used to transfer bridge deck sections from heavy-lift vessels to the transport barge.

A no-wake zone will be enforced while the barge is carrying deck sections and when the deck sections are being connected to lifting beams.

The safety zones will be enforced by the Coast Guard and local law enforcement. Boaters willfully violating the safety zones could face a civil penalty up to $32,500.

Mariners can find more information about the deck sections on Marine VHF-FM channel 14 or by telephone at (206) 217-6151. In addition, updates will be posted on the project's website at http://www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com/ .

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard