[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5916-5917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02099]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2016-0057]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; 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 Bridge (US17) across
the James River, mile 5.0, at Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. The
deviation is necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. This
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation
position.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 a.m. on February 7, 2016 to 7
p.m. on February 14, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0057] 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 Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Administration
Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-6222, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation,
that owns and operates the James River Bridge (US17), has requested a
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to perform
repairs to the aerial electrical cable connecting the north tower to
the south tower. The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a
vertical clearance in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high
water.
The current operating schedule is open on signal as set out in 33
CFR 117.5. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in
the closed-to-
[[Page 5917]]
navigation position from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from February 7, 2016 through
February 14, 2016. During this temporary deviation, the bridge will
operate per 33 CFR 117.5 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The James 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 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 immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The
Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating
schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their
transit to minimize any impact 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: January 28, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-02099 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
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