The Sidney Lanier Bridge
Environmental Considerations
Known as an area of great natural beauty and celebrated in Sidney Lanier's poem The Marshes of Glynn, it was imperative to avoid damage to the wildlife near the bridge both during and after construction.
Manatees
Manatees (sea cows) are a protected species and every effort has been made to avoid harm to them as they swim through the channel. Though manatees are not frequently seen in the channel, they certainly are known to swim up into the rivers feeding into the Atlantic along this part of the Georgia coast. Signs were posted warning of the presence of manatees. To avoid any harm to manatees construction workers were given instructions by the Department of Natural Resources in spotting manatees and a full-time manatee watcher was posted by the contractor. Should a manatee be sighted construction would stop until the manatee swam by. During construction of the cofferdams verification that a manatee was not trapped inside the cofferdam was required before construction could proceed. Also, underwater blasting was not allowed unless the channel could be verified as free of manatees. Happily no harm has come to any manatees as a result of construction so far. And, although construction has been stopped on several occasions, there has not been a confirmed manatee sighting.
Sea Turtles
The rules for manatee spotting also apply to sea turtles that may swim by. Additionally, sea turtles use this area to come ashore and lay eggs. Because the turtles use the light of the moon to find their way to shore the lighting for the bridge must be subdued during certain parts of the year. Strong lights on the towers and cables at night would certainly be a striking image, but might confuse a turtle's navigation. When final lighting plans are made, consideration will be given to the sea turtles.
Wood Storks
Some of the area near the bridge is a foraging area for wood storks, another protected species. High tide brings water and fish into depressions in this area. Then, as the tide retreats, the fish, trapped in a shrinking pond, are easy pickings for the wood storks. To avoid disturbing these areas the sequence of construction of the low-level approaches on the south end of the bridge was delayed until the second contract and must be completed during the season when the wood storks are not feeding. Wax myrtles, which screen the foraging ponds from the roadway noise, will be replanted.
Wetlands
Construction of the bridge requires building footings for the bridge in wetland areas on the south end of the bridge. Though the footings will be set below ground for the most part, the column area and area of the fill for the approaches will eliminate some number of square feet of valuable wildlife habitat. Fortunately the fill for the existing bridge covers more potential wetland area than will be required by the new bridge. Therefore once the new bridge is opened, fill for the existing bridge will be removed and new wetlands will be created that will more than make up for the amount used by placement of the new bridge.
Artificial Reef
Though plans have not been finalized for removal of the existing bridge, a provision allowing disposal of bridge materials at sea in designated artificial reef areas will be included. According to Georgia's Department of Natural Resources: "Since 1972, a system of man-made reefs has increased the habitat and improved the fishing off Georgia's coast by providing food and cover for many different kinds of fish. Like oases in an underwater desert, artificial reefs offer a stark contrast to the barren ocean floor that surrounds them." Thus the old bridge will continue to serve a valuable purpose.
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Updated September 23, 2002. 14:17
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