Oct. 18, 2025 Traffic Jam at the Great Bridge Bridge and Lock

 Sat.  Oct. 18, 2025  Top Rack Marina to Little Alligator River Anchorage  76 miles and 9.3 hours

Crazy morning.   With the Great Bridge Bridge on limited openings due to maintenance and the snowbirds heading south, coupled with weather that had boats waiting it out in Norfolk, it's a recipe for a backup. Sort of dumb that two of the bridge openings are in the dark at 6AM and 7PM.  May work OK for the commercial tugs but not so much for the pleasure crafts.  That leaves just the 9 AM or 1 PM opening for us.  With most boaters trying to make time and wanting to get going, the 9AM opening is actually a bit late.   Our original plan was to be off the dock at 8AM to get to the lock by 8:20. Plenty of time to get through for the 9 AM bridge.  But boats were leaving the docks by 7AM at first light.  On top of that we kept seeing boats passing our dock to get in line.  When a tug and barge passed by, we decided we needed to get going and get in line too. So we quickly cast off lines and were gone by 7:30 just ahead of two more boats coming down the river.  Huge backed up conga line when we got to the lock.  Thankfully it was a calm morning so fairly easy for everyone to hold position. A bit before 8 the lockmaster announced he would be opening the gates and start loading.  As a commercial vessel the tow got priority and was brought in and tied to the port wall.  After that he was able to load probably another 8-10 boats before he considered it full.  Could have fit several more boats in if he would let boats raft up but I suspect they are not used to doing that.  We were now the 4th boat in line for a second lockage. 

Big line of boats ahead of us at the lock and these are behind us

And more boats keep coming

More boats arrive before the lock even opens for the first group ahead of us

This lock only drops 2' and is amazingly slow. We wait and finally the front gates open.  The tow exits and ties to the wall between the lock and bridge.  The boats exit and hover again in the same area.  Gates close, chamber refills and now our turn to enter at 8:35.  Lockmaster is trying to hurry boats in as well as push them tightly together.  Finally has to close the gates with several boats still outside who will need to wait until the 1PM opening.   As the water is going down in the lock we watch as at precisely 9AM the bridgetender starts lifting.    The tow tells all the pleasure craft to proceed through.  He'll go last.  He is slow to get moving giving time for the lock to empty.  As he's going through the bridge our gates open and the lockmaster tells us we need to hustle. 

Boats getting loaded into the lock behind us

Glad we're toward the front of the group of about 15-20 boats we're with. Bridgetender holds the bridge open a bit of extended time to insure everyone gets through.  It's 9:15 by the time we're clear of everything. Feels like we have put in a full day already but plenty more to go.    There are 2 swing bridges we need to pass this morning. Each only open on the hour and half hour.  We're a bit off schedule approaching the first swing bridge and caught behind the tow.  But he gets openings on demand as a commercial vessel, and we sneak through with him.  Pass the tow and speed up but timing is still off as we get to the 2nd bridge right between his openings.   We idle around for 15 minutes with several other boats and wait for more to arrive. 

Passing the tow 

After we're through, boats finally start stretching out.  Go fast boats plow past us, while we pass a few of the slower sailboats and trawlers.  The balance of the day goes relatively easy.  This is a long slog down the Chesapeake and Albemarle canal.  Part river, part swamp, part man-made canal connecting these two bodies of water.   It's the primary ICW route particularly for larger or faster boats who don't want to use the Dismal Swamp Canal route. 

Bald Eagles definitely making a comeback. 
We've spotted many along the east coast 

We originally had planned to anchor for the night off the south end of the canal, but the weather forecast is now showing winds picking up Sunday which could make the Albemarle Sound crossing uncomfortable. It's notorious for quickly developing uncomfortable waves due to its shallow waters.  We opt to make it a longer day and cross the sound for an anchorage on the Little Alligator River.   One of the smoothest crossings of the Albemarle we ever made so worth the extra time today.  

Smooth as glass day to be crossing the Albemarle Sound

First time at this anchorage.  It is big and wide open but provides a nice tree line against any south winds. Surprised there are no other boats here. Drop the anchor and it grabs nicely. Calm winds overnight so after a quick dinner and watching my Clemson Tigers lose another football game at home this year, we were off to bed for a well-deserved good night's sleep.

Sunset at the Little Alligator River Anchorage. Nice ending to the day.

Journey for Oct. 18, 2025