VDOT has shared the US Coast Guard’s Notice to Mariners re: planned replacement of the Robert O. Norris Jr., Bridge (PDF). Rightly so, the USCG is concerned about the planned horizontal and vertical clearances. As is shown in the notice, the clearances are the same for the current and proposed bridges (see below).
The public is encouraged to comment; the deadline is September 17. From the notice:
Mariners and maritime stakeholders are requested to provide navigational information, such as the sizes and types of vessels presently owned and operated on the waterway and nature of navigation (including the extent of nighttime navigation) on the waterway. Helpful vessel information includes the following: commercial or recreational, length, width or beam, draft, height or air draft, tonnage, normal transit area, and mooring location. Mariners are requested to comment on the navigational clearances and need for bridge protective systems, clearance gauges, and navigational lighting on the proposed bridge.
Interested parties are requested to express their views, in writing, on the proposed bridge project, giving sufficient detail to establish a clear understanding of their reasons for support of, or opposition to, the proposed project. Comments will be received for the record at the address in the header or via email at D5Portsmouth-BridgesPublicNotice@uscg.mil through September 17, 2026.
