PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has re-opened a security zone in the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River after repairs were made to the Norfolk – Portsmouth Beltline Railroad Bridge here today.
The Norfolk-Portsmouth Beltline Railroad Bridge is safe to operate, and the waterway is open to all commercial and recreational vessels.
The waterway had been closed since 6 a.m. this morning due to a casualty on the bridge. The Coast Guard was initially notified by Portsmouth – Norfolk Railroad at about 6 p.m. Wednesday that a cable responsible for raising and lowering the vertical-lift bridge became frayed. A repair contractor and a Coast Guard representative reviewed the bridge’s condition Thursday and recommended repairs be made as soon as possible. Corrective actions were implemented today by the bridge owner to repair the cable to safeguard public health and safety.
