Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics39,383
Posts319,362
Members26,666
Most Online3,755
Sep 23rd, 2024
Top Posters(30 Days)
bdeeley 82
jazzgal 41
RonDon 36
jomarc 33
GaKaye 33
fabila 32
Todd 27
erb923 26
Member Spotlight
GeorgeC1
GeorgeC1
GA/NC
Posts: 7,178
Joined: April 2002
Today's Birthdays
CaWino, lilyhaze, lks1165
Who's Online Now
5 members (RatmansWife, soccerpch, nevar37, shieneehead, 1 invisible), 772 guests, and 200 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 544
Traveler
OP Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 544


[Linked Image]
SXM Sponsors
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,783
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,783
That can’t be Good

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
Hopefully it'll be a quick fix and not an island time fix.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Wow, that seriously sucks, for those on island. I guess their "fix" that they just did, wasn't so good!


Carol Hill
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 192
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 192
Hopefully it will be fixed by Sunday. If not what’s the best route to the airport from GC? Through Sandy Ground and around or Cole Bay/Pelican Key? I’ve only been visiting the island since 2016 and the causeway is all I know.

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
I would go through Sandy Ground primarily to avoid Simpson Bay traffic which can be unpredictable.

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 192
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 192
Thanks CaribLee. I’ve travelled that way to the airport once when the Bastille Day parade was taking place on Rue de Hollande in Marigot. I’ve never went the other way.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Yes, I would go through Sandy Ground also. Although frankly, on a Sunday, there shouldn't be too much traffic in Simpson Bay regardless. I do NOT go through Sandy Ground after night, but by day, it's not bad.


Carol Hill
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Yes Carol.....I wasn't thinking about it being Sunday. But like you, I would still go through Sandy Ground. The scenery is better as well.

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,625
M
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,625
Must have been fun for the cars waiting on the causeway.

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
This last May we returned through Sandy Ground. Very slow going with all the pot holes and speed bumps.

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 5
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 5
It's a shame the SXM Island cam is down. It would be helpful to be able to check and see when traffic resumes.

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 1
Just think of the poor boats on the French Side with too deep a draft to go through the French bridge (that would be many of them). They are stuck there!


[Linked Image]
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Zanshin--I think the bridge is now stuck OPEN to boat traffic, although perhaps it's just not locked in place for automobile traffic. Thus not usable for anyone. Not sure.

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 07/06/2022 09:41 AM.

Carol Hill
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
The Simpson Bay draw bridge is still opperational.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Scuba--Zanshin is talking about a boat that is on the French side of the causeway.


Carol Hill
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 2
I know but since Causway is stuck open it's not a problem to leave the Lagoon.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
As I said when I amended my post, I'm not certain on that.

I hope they are able to resolve it soon. I personally thought the Causeway was just a boondoggle when they were proposing it, but it has definitely helped both sides of the island.


Carol Hill
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1
The Causeway does a great help to alleviate to traffic heading towards the French side or Cole Bay both ways .

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
According to the article, the bridge was closing when the malfunction took place. It depends on how close it came to fully closing as to whether boats are able to pass. Would be helpful if we had a photo of its current state.

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
Maybe the picture in the article tells us. I've never seen it open and close so I'm not sure what I am looking at.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
CaribLee--I have seen it open a time or two, but not sure what I'm looking at in the picture either.


Carol Hill
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,600
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,600
Likes: 1
You are looking at a bridge that may be open to marine traffic but no way anything else will get across. The bridge actually lifts and swings when it opens and swing back and lowers when it closes. I expect they will have to send someone from Holland, like they always do. It's too hard.

Traffic ebbs and flows. Drove all over Dutch side yesterday am and only had minor traffic. Last night took 40 minutes Cupecoy to The Palms.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
For sure, we know that there is no way that vehicular traffic can use it at the moment. The question currently was whether boats could pass through or not. According to the original story in the paper, folks from Holland are already onsite.


Carol Hill
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
From photos posted elsewhere, it looks like the bridge has swiveled to roughly 15% open. I don’t think much tall-masted boat traffic will be passing through.

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 1
I was in St. Martin when the bridge was inaugurated and the fireworks were very impressive. I had a rental car at the time and was crossing the bridge when it opened, I was in the 3rd or 4th car from the barrier. I got some nice photos of the bridge opening and then almost closing, stopping with just a couple of inches to go. I waited almost an hour before giving up, turning the car around and going the long way. I gather the bridge didn't reopen until that evening smile

[Linked Image] [Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Wow, those fireworks are pretty impressive! Thanks for posting!


Carol Hill
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Any word on if it was fixed yesterday?

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
it was not in today's Daily Herald, so I have to assume that it has NOT been fixed yet.


Carol Hill
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
If the causeway is closed, what way would you recommend getting to Orient? Years ago, I have gone around and through Sandy Ground. Have also gone through the Dutch side up past Middle Region. Been so long ago, I have no clue on the best way.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
ODB--where are you starting out? That makes a difference, whether you have to go through all of Simpson Bay traffic or not.


Carol Hill
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 802
Starting at the airport. Arriving Saturday at about 1pm. So, Sandy Ground is an option.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Starting at the airport, I would go through Sandy Ground. Otherwise, you have to traverse ALL of Simpson Bay on a Saturday.


Carol Hill
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
The bridge has re-opened to vehicular traffic.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Good deal! Thanks.


Carol Hill
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 1
Thanks for the good news.

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,783
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,783
👍👏

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
B
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,912
The bridge was closed manually. It has not been repaired.

Link

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,600
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,600
Likes: 1
Good old Sam and crew cranked it closed. Repair will happen whenever help comes from Holland as no one here knows how to fix it.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,848
Likes: 3
A problem for sailors until it is fixed, but at least the land traffic has resumed! clapping


Carol Hill
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5