30-Minute Bridge Opening Expected
The cargo transport vessel Marietje Andrea, the largest ship ever to enter the Simpson Bay Lagoon Sunday evening departure has been postponed until Monday, May 13 starting at 5.45pm – 6.30pm. The transit from the Lagoon into the Simpson Bay should take approximately 30 minutes which means the Simpson Bay Bridge will be open for that amount of time.
The Sunday evening departure from the Lagoon into Simpson Bay was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Marietje Andrea entered the Lagoon on May 3 to deliver the Swing Bridge for the Causeway.
The 126 meter long (413 feet) vessel is 15 meters wide (49 feet) and has a gross tonnage of 5418. The longest vessel to ever enter the Simpson Bay Lagoon was the 96 meter (316 feet) mega yacht Limitless. The Andrea is almost 100 feet longer than the Limitless.
The Causeway Swing Bridge left Hollandia Shipyard in the Netherlands on April 19 for Sint Maarten and arrived May 3. The Swing Bridge is 220 feet long and weighs 450 tons. The Causeway has a total length of 2493 feet and features a two-lane motorway, a bicycle track and footpaths.
Construction of the Causeway started early 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by December 2013. Construction is being carried out by Volker Stevin Construction Europe BV.
The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation, is a subsidiary of SMHG, and has an advisory role with respect to Simpson Bay and the Simpson Bay Lagoon.