The cargo transport vessel Marietje Andrea, the largest ship ever to enter the Simpson Bay Lagoon on May 3 to deliver the Swing Bridge for the Causeway, is tentatively set to leave the Lagoon on Sunday evening at 7.00pm. 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 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.
Several milestones have been reached within the past few weeks St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies (SMHG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo said, such as the arrival of the Swing Bridge and the installation of the aforementioned on May 6. Mingo expresses gratitude to all those who have contributed to the project to date.
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.
PHOTO CUTLINE: see attached photo of the Marietje Andrea entering the Lagoon on May 3.