The Simpson Bay Lagoon Causeway Bridge links the St. Maarten districts of Cole Bay and Simpson Bay, spanning across the Simpson Bay Lagoon. Stretching for a total of 700 meters (with a swing bridge section spanning 60 meters), this bridge serves as a crucial link for travellers heading to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) from the Marigot and Grand Case areas, eliminating the need for a detour through the Lowlands area.
Constructed in the Netherlands and transported for installation in 2013, the bridge posed a significant logistical challenge due to its weight of 450,000 kilograms. At night, the bridge is adorned with colorful lights, enhancing its iconic presence. Visitors often symbolize their enduring love by affixing locks to a special fence on the bridge.
The straight footpaths of the causeway bridge are popular among locals and tourists alike for sprinting and jogging, offering scenic views of St. Maarten.
It’s important not to confuse the Simpson Bay Lagoon Causeway Bridge with the Simpson Bay Bridge located over Welfare Road. While the causeway bridge connects the two sides of the lagoon, the Simpson Bay Bridge serves as the passage for ships entering the Caribbean Sea from the lagoon.
For those needing to navigate the bridge, it operates on specific schedules, opening at 8 am, 10 am, and 3:30 pm.
The bridge’s dimensions include a height of 6.2 meters, a width of 23 meters, and a controlling depth of 6 meters.
Communication with the bridge’s operators can be established via VHF channel 12 or by contacting +1-721-545-5230 / 545-3183.
Photo credit: Marko Radisavljevic