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411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Aerial Lift Bridge to Commence Summer Schedule
BY: Amy Norris, Public Information Coordinator
Aerial Lift Bridge to Commence Summer Schedule
[Duluth, MN] – The Aerial Lift Bridge will start its summer schedule at 7:00 a.m. May 24, 2013 through 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2013. The Lift Bridge will run on a summer schedule between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., seven days a week.
The drawbridge shall open on the hour and half-hour for vessels under 300 gross tons, if needed; and the bridge will open on signal for all vessels from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week, and at all times for Federal, State, and local government vessels, vessels in distress, commercial vessels engaged in rescue or emergency salvage operations, commercial-assist towing vessels engaged in towing or port operations, vessels engaged in pilot duties, vessels seeking shelter from severe weather, and all vessels 300 gross tons or greater.
The U.S. Coast Guard approved the establishment of a new drawbridge schedule for the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge in 2011 to help reduce traffic congestion near the drawbridge during the peak navigation and tourist season.
Water vessels are reminded to maintain the posted slow-no wake speed in the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal. Slow-no wake speed is the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerage, but in no case greater than five miles per hour unless in the case of:
(a) Emergency, enforcement or resource management personnel when acting in the performance of their duties;
(b) Water or wind conditions which affect safety and steerage; or
(c) Avoiding a potential collision.
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