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Pearl Railroad Bridge
- Mile Marker: 43.1
- Lat / Lon: N 39° 27.460' / W 090° 36.610'
- Bridge Type: Lift
- Vertical Clearance (Closed): 21.30 ft.
- Horizontal Clearance: 315.00 ft.
- Schedule:
The draw span of the Kansas City Southern Railroad Drawbridge, mile 43.2, at Pearl, Illinois, is operated by remote operator located in Kansas City, Missouri as follows:
(1) The draw is normally maintained in the fully open position, displaying green center span navigation lights to indicate the draw span is fully open.
(2) When rail traffic approaches the bridge, the remote operator located in Kansas City, Missouri, will scan the river for vessel traffic via video cameras mounted near and under the bridge. Once the remote operator has visually verified no vessel traffic is present, they will announce on VHF-FM Channel 16 the draw span will be lowering for rail traffic.
(3) If a vessel is approaching the bridge, the draw will remain open. The vessel shall contact the train operator on VHF-FM channel 16 or 14 and the remote operator shall keep the draw in the fully open position until the vessel has cleared the bridge.
(4) If no vessels are observed, the remote operator initiates a five minute warning period on VHF-FM radio channel 16 before closing the bridge. The remote operator will broadcast the following message: “The Kansas City Southern Railroad Bridge at Mile 43.2, Illinois River, will close to navigation in five minutes.” The announcement is repeated every minute counting down the time remaining until closure.
(5) At the end of the five minute warning period, and no vessels are approaching the bridge, the remote operator shall sound the siren for 30 seconds, activate the alternate flashing red light on top of the draw, then lower and lock the draw in place. Red lights continue to flash to indicate the draw is closed to navigation.
(6) During the lowering process a boat detection system will monitor immediately upstream, downstream, and under the bridge, if a vessel enters the detection area, the lowering will cease and the remote operator will be immediately notified that an obstruction is present.
(7) After rail traffic has cleared the bridge, the remote operator will raise the draw span back to the fully open to navigation position, lock the draw span in place, stop the red flashing lights, and ensure the draw lights are changed from red to green.
(8) Once fully reopened, an automated verbal announcement will be made via VHF-FM Channel 16 indicating the bridge is again open to vessel traffic. Mariners may contact the remote operator via radiotelephone on VHF-FM Channel 14, or by standard telephone calling 1 (800) 892-6295.
Editor's Note: Bridge schedules are subject to temporary change due to repairs, maintenance, events, etc. Check the Waterway Explorer for possible nav alerts.
- VHF Channel: N/A
