We have a government-issued press release (see below), but there are no dates specified... Keeping their "bases" or whatevers covered, I suppose... or as it says down towards the end of the article: "Inspectors of Rijkswaterstaat will once more asses the condition of the bridge" I can just picture the inspectors mooning the bridge :)
=> Remember that the French bridge will be closed in September!
JOHN SAINSBOROUGH LEJEUZ BRIDGE. SINT MAARTEN.Let's hope that there are no tropical disturbances during these down times when boats need to shelter in the Simpson Bay Lagoon.
PRESS RELEASE July 30, 2009.
Bridge to be Closed for Maritime Traffic mid-August for two weeks due to additional repair work
SIMPSON BAY - Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation hereby announces that mid-August the Simpson Bay Bridge will closed to maritime traffic for a two-week period to facilitate additional repair work.
The main contractor Hofman Sliedrecht will continue the repair works replacing the traffic barrier boxes and booms; installing new traffic lights and installing a new electrical control cabinet for the bridge.
All the repairs to the Simpson Bay Bridge are based on the recommendations made by Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Authority for waterworks and Bridges. They are done to ensure the durability and longevity of the bridge structure.
In August 2009 Inspectors of Rijkswaterstaat will once more asses the condition of the bridge after all the improvements and will submit a report to the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority.
