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Bridge Schedules in Saint Martin

Bridge Schedules in Saint Martin

The road around Simpson Bay / Marigot Lagoon has two drawbridges covering the only two sea entrances. A third bridge, the Causeway, separates the French and Dutch sides of the lagoon. These bridges open at fixed times to let boats through. Road traffic is then stopped for 10 to 20 minutes.

French side Free

Sandy Ground Bridge

Drawbridge. Free passage. Managed by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin.

Daily openings
8h30 Inbound and outbound
17h00 Inbound and outbound
Priority to outbound vessels
Width10 m
Depth3,50 – 3,80 m
VHFCh. 16

Dutch side Paid

Simpson Bay Bridge

Drawbridge. Passage is paid. Boats must clear customs at the Lagoon Authority.

Daily openings
8h30 Outbound
9h30 Inbound
10h30 Outbound
11h30 Inbound
14h00 Inbound
16h00 Outbound
17h00 Inbound
Contact the bridge operator by VHF before entering or exiting
Width17 m
Depth6 m
VHFCh. 12

Dutch side Free

Causeway Bridge

Swing bridge. Built in 2013 on the road linking the airport to Cole Bay.

Daily openings
8h00 Inbound and outbound
10h00 Inbound and outbound
16h30 Inbound and outbound
Contact the bridge operator by VHF before entering or exiting
Width23 m
Draft6,20 m
VHFCh. 12

Simpson Bay Bridge fees

Only Simpson Bay Bridge charges a fee. Sandy Ground and Causeway are free.

9 to 12 m $7
12 to 15 m $21
15 to 18 m $42
18 to 22 m $120
22 to 28 m $200
28 to 36 m $300
Over 36 m $500
On demand $1,000

Bridge Map

For drivers

Plan your trips around these schedules. When bridges open, roads are blocked for 10 to 20 minutes. Plan ahead, especially during rush hours.

Lagoon navigation

  • • 2.50 m deep channel between the French and Dutch sides.
  • • Channel marked between Causeway and Simpson Bay. Markings may be incomplete between Sandy Ground and Causeway.
  • • Speed limit: 3 knots at Sandy Ground, 5 knots at Simpson Bay and Causeway.

Schedules may change due to weather or local authority decisions. Always check by VHF.