The bascule drawbridge is managed by the GNOEC (Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission) and is located at the 16.0 mile marker on the Causeway Bridge with personnel on duty 24/7. Drawbridge operators may be reached on VHF-16 , the marine radio hailing and distress frequency, or by telephone at (504) 835-3116.   The GNOEC operates a VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) on Lake Pontchartrain.  All commercial traffic communicates with drawbridge operators and is plotted and tracked on  radar while traversing the lake.   There is a one mile prohibited zone on both the east and west sides of the Causeway Bridge for its entire length.  Applications for work to be performed within the prohibited zones must be submitted to the GNOEC for approval. Information Displayed to Marine Traffic Note: Mile marker numbers begin at the south end of the bridge. Horizontal Clearance Vertical Clearance (closed) South Pass Fixed Marine Spans 8.0 Mile Marker Fixed Marine Humps at 4, 12, and 20 Mile Markers Number of Bridge Spans (Approximate) Normal Clearance North Pass Bascule Spans 16.0 Mile Marker Horizontal Clearance Vertical Clearance (closed) Horizontal Clearance Vertical Clearance (closed) North Bound South Bound 125’ 125’ 45’ 45’ 150’ 150’ 50’ 50’ 55’ 55’ 25’ 1500’ 2243’ 15’ 16’ 25’ Causeway Bridge Marine Traffic Information DRAW BRIDGE CLOSURE SCHEDULE PER DOT, COAST GUARD REGULATIONS 33 CFR PART 117 DRAW BRIDGE CLOSED MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT FEDERAL HOLIDAYS 5:30 AM TO 9:30 AM AND FROM 3 P.M. UNTIL 7 P.M. EXCEPTION VESSELS IN DISTRESS BRIDGE OPERATOR REQUIRES 3 HOURS NOTICE TO OPEN BASCULE BRIDGE OPERATOR MONITORS MARINE 16 HAIL AND DISTRESS FREQUENCY 24 HOURS A DAY BASCULE OPERATOR CAN ALSO BE REACHED THRU POLICE DISPATCH AT 504-835-3116 GNOEC P.O. BOX 7656 METAIRIE, LA 70010    Click Here For Coast Guard Regulation 33 CFR Part 117