[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19208]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2013-0665]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Milford Haven Inlet, Hudgins, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the VA State Route 223 Bridge (Gwynn's
Island) across the Milford Haven Inlet, mile 0.1, at Hudgins, Virginia.
The deviation is necessary to rehabilitate the bridge, including repair
of the truss, the bridge signals, and the tender house. This deviation
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for up
to four separate 24-hour periods, if needed.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. October 3, 2013 to 9
p.m. March 31, 2014.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0665] is available
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH''
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this
temporary deviation, call or email Mrs. Jessica Shea, Bridge Management
Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6422, email
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the docket,
call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone
(202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The bridge owner, the Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT), is conducting maintenance on the Route 223 swing
bridge over Milford Haven Inlet near Hudgins, Virginia. VDOT requested
a deviation from the requirement to open on signal as required by 33
CFR 117.5 in order to facilitate the rehabilitation work. The deviation
period commences at 7 a.m. on October 3, 2013 and goes through 9 p.m.
March 31, 2014. During the deviation period, the construction work may
require four 24-hour periods where the bridge will be unable to open to
navigation. Due to restrictions based on vehicular transportation
needs, the 24-hour periods will not be consecutive.
Under the regular operating schedule where the bridge opens on
signal, the bridge opens up to ten times every day for commercial
fishing vessels and Coast Guard vessels at Station Milford Haven. The
vertical clearance of the swing bridge in the closed-to-navigation
position is 12 feet at mean high water. Vessels able to pass through
the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time and are advised
to proceed with caution. The bridge will not be able to open for
emergencies during any of the four 24-hour closure periods. The
southern approach to Gywnn's Island by Sandy Point, VA can be used as
an alternate route for vessels able to transit in water depths of two
feet. The Coast Guard will use Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners
at least seven days in advance of the changes in operating schedule so
that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused
by the temporary deviation.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: July 29, 2013.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2013-19208 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
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