Swing bridge

Hi all,
I've been a TTOL viewer for years, but we are making our second visit in March, so I thought I better finally join to get your valuable opinions. The swing bridge was not there on our last visit in 2012. Obviously traffic jams can be nasty in SXM, so would you advise taking the bridge to our rental condo on Orient, or going the southern route? Thanks in advance!

Bridge. Period.

Yes, taking the causeway bridge is your best bet.

Once you use it, you'll never go the old way! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

The Bridge is wonderful and saves time. Best new addition to the infrastructure on SXM.

The swing bridge is new to me also.
Where, exactly, is it?
Thanks!

It used to be when you drove roughly east from the front of the airport, if you didn't turn, you'd end up in the Lagoon. Now the road proceeds straight onto the causeway. The Causeway takes you to the other side of the lagoon, and little bit south of the international border on Rue de Hollande. You turn left, and you're in Marigot before you know it.

I just remembered when I first used the causeway it was last February on Fat Tuesday. Marigot was almost impossible to navigate it was so clogged with people partying (to astonishingly loud sound systems). It took forever, and a crazy route through back alleys to get through. Genius that I am, I have somehow booked my next trip for - wait for it - Fat Tuesday again.

The bridge is all light up at night with pretty colours!

Perfect, Thanks@

Welcome to the board. You will check it often while you are on vacation I'm sure.

Thanks. Been on the board before, but "lapsed" as I haven't been to the island in about 7 years.

Here is a map. Follow Airport Rd and you will see it.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/sxm+causeway/@18.0387917,-63.1122909,15z/data=!3m1!4b1

Always think a picture helps <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Perfect.
Tried Google Earth, but couldn't see exactly where it was.
Thanks;
taking off Saturday for 3 weeks!

Thanks again, that map reference was a HUGE help in locating the Peg Leg Pub, causeway and a couple of other places that I had forgotten where they were located.

HI, I print a list of the bridge / causeway times and leave in the rental car. List is accurate for last yr have not checked if the same for this winter.
The times are useful if out and about and trying to avoid traffic. The causeway also lets you circle the lagoon on the Cole Bay side to avoid the bridge in Simpson Bay

J&B

Bridge Opening Times
Bridge Causeway
07:30 - on call
08:30 - everyday 08:15 - everyday
09:30 - everyday 09:45 - everyday
10:30 - everyday 10:15 - everyday
11:30 - everyday 11:45 - everyday
15:00 - everyday 15:15 - on call
16:00 - everyday 15:45 - everyday
17:00 - everyday 17:15 - everyday

French Side
09:00 - everyday 8:15 - to change to 9:00
14:30 - Monday - Saturday (excluding holidays)
17:30 - everyday

Peg Leg no longer exists.f

Really?
Darn;
when did they close?

Two years ago.

Bridge....last 2 weeks the traffic is worst thatn LA .....getting down Welfare Rd. yesterday it took us 1 hour to get from Karkaters to Oyster pond when we left around 4

Traffic is usually bad in most areas at that time of day. Best to leave before 3:00 P.M. for no traffic problems in Simpson Bay and surrounding area. Marigot can be bad too depending on when you travel through there.

Someone once told us school gets out around 4 pm adding to traffic congestion. Not sure this is true but traffic is always very bad all over island around that time.