[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26359]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2015-0944]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
South Branch of the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth and Chesapeake, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Belt Line Railroad Bridge across
the South Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 2.6, between Portsmouth
and Chesapeake, VA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the
closed-to-navigation position to facilitate a tie replacement project.
DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from October
16, 2015 until 6 p.m. on October 23, 2015. For the purposes of
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 7 a.m. on October 16,
2015, until October 16, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0944], 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.
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].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line
Railroad Company, who owns and operates the Belt Line Railroad Bridge,
has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating
regulations to facilitate a tie replacement project on the bridge. The
bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in
the closed position of 6 feet above mean high water.
The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.997(a).
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for scheduled
daily openings at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 3 p.m., from October 16, 2015
through October 23, 2015. During this temporary deviation, the bridge
will operate per 33 CFR 117.997(a) from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. The South
Branch of the Elizabeth River is used by a variety of vessels including
deep draft ocean-going vessels, U.S. government vessels, small
commercial vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. 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 be able to open for emergencies and
there is no alternate route 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
this 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: October 13, 2015.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-26359 Filed 10-15-15; 8:45 am]
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