[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30157-30158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12737]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2015-0402]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and
Newport News, 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 James River Draw Bridge across the
James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. This
deviation is necessary to facilitate electrical repairs to the south
tower of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the
closed-to-navigation position.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8,
2015.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0402], is
[[Page 30158]]
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 Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6222, email [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations,
telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation,
who owns and operates the James River Draw Bridge, has requested a
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in
33 CFR 117.5, to facilitate electrical repairs on the south tower of
the bridge.
Under the regular operating schedule, the James River Draw Bridge,
mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, opens on signal.
The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a vertical clearance
in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high water.
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be closed to
navigation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8, 2015.
The James River is used by a variety of vessels including
freighters, tugs, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has
carefully coordinated the restrictions with commercial and recreational
waterway users.
Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may
do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies
and there is no alternate route for vessels to pass for vessels unable
to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will
also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast
Notice to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge
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: May 15, 2015.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-12737 Filed 5-26-15; 8:45 am]
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