SR 74 Bridge

Comment by: Rachel Jurchuk, Snail trail, on May 11, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

On request before 7am On the hour from 7am-7pm That's pretty much it

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  That is the schedule listed.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Liz Hood on Apr 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

On April 14, 2025 we entered the ICW at 6:50 AM just before the Wrightsville Beach Bridge. We called the Wrightsville Beach Bridge tender on Channel 13 and he actually opened the bridge a few minutes early for us as we were the only boat in either direction. We cleared the Wrightsville Beach Bridge at 7 AM which helped us in our journey north as we needed to get to the figure 8 bridge for the 730 opening. Wonderfully polite and knowledgeable bridge tender. We always make a point of saying good morning and being super polite and respectful when calling.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Asea Renning, Imzadi, on Aug 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 53'
Draft: 5.0'

Very busy area on a sunny Saturday afternoon. LOTS of little boats, pontoons and jet skis whizzing around. The restaurants south of the bridge were packed too. Had to wait 20 minutes for bridge opening (bridge tender advised 19' clearance, we need min 19.2'!) Bridge tender was courteous and prompt.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Susan Cole on Apr 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Went through today at high tide and it was 17 ft on height gauge . Measurement is low steel.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Hal Goldschlag on Apr 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

We called the bridge tender and he confirmed it was 15 feet and the tide board also confirmed it.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: William Strickland, TakeFive, on Dec 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 5.0'

The bridge clearance listed is incorrect. The clearance is 14' low steel at high tide. This is an important issue for trawlers who can clear 20', but not 14'. There is a lot of conflicting information from various trusted sources. The 14' was confirmed with the bridge tender 12/3/22.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Previous clearance at center was listed as 24 feet. NOAA charts state 20 feet.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Brian W, Y’ALL LIFE, on Jun 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

"Wrightsville Beach Bridge" tender was courteous and opened on the hour. Lots of little boat traffic.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Richard Trumper, Island Fox, on Jun 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Passed through at 5PM, bridge master was polite and opened exactly on time. Current, wind and traffic make this bridge trickier than most. There are restaurants and marinas immediately to the south and lot of boats coming and going, but even more so at 5pm.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Doug Purdy on Apr 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Answers radio on 13 as Wrightsville Beach Bridge not SR74.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Nov 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Bridge tenders run quick openings. Be sure to be here on the hour

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Captain Gene Of Galene on Oct 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

I have passed through here over a dozen times and I need just a tad under 17'. I stay in the center and have cleared it even at high tides but it is close then. The center seems to be about 4' higher than what the board reads. Use due diligence.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Captains Bob & Pat Amidon, Velomer, on Oct 14, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

The information is incorrectly posted in the Guide. The 20 ft clearance is at MLW not MHW, as is typically posted. The boards at the side of the entrance shows the current clearances

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The vertical clearance shown on he NOAA chart is at the center of the bridge.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Bruce Stewart, Escape, on Apr 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

NOAA charts show 20' to center witch is correct at MLW to high steel. BUT>>> at high tide you only have 14' to low steel (plus about 3' to high steel) Refer to the posted Gauge Boards for real time reading and use caution.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Anita Smith on Apr 1, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Verified vertical clearance is 14', not 20' as listed in the Waterway Guide and Navionics. We went through the bridge today at near high tide. We phoned the bridge tender when we noticed the discrepancy. He informed us that the draft board was correct, reading 14 feet, which was at the outside ends of the span. He said that the middle of the span may be 3 feet higher, but gave no definite number.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  NOAA Chart indicates 20 feet.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Comment by: Brian Smith on May 15, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 4.0'

The vertical clearance of this bridge is 14’ at high water not 20 as listed per the marker on the bridge.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Bridge is charted at 20 feet vertical clearance at center.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer