[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42248-42249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15295]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2016-0181]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake,
VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations;
modification.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge
across the North Landing River, mile 20.2, at Chesapeake, VA. This
modified deviation is necessary to perform emergency bridge repairs and
provide for safe navigation. This modified deviation allows the bridge
to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 p.m. on June 30, 2016,
through 6:00 p.m. on September 30, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0181] 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: On March 11, 2016, the Coast Guard published
a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North
Landing River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 12824)
and on April 8, 2016, the Coast Guard published a modified temporary
deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing
River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 20529). These
documents were necessary to authorize a temporary deviation from the
operating regulations to perform repairs to the south swing span of the
bridge due to damage sustained as a result of a vessel allision with
the bridge that occurred on March 1, 2016. The United States Army Corps
of Engineers, Norfolk District Office, who owns and operates the S165
(North Landing Road) Bridge, has requested a modified temporary
deviation from the current operating regulations to perform repairs to
the south swing span of the bridge, following completion of an ongoing
roadway construction project on Elbow Road, Chesapeake, VA, in which
the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge is currently serving as a detour
route. The modified temporary deviation request is necessary to provide
for public safety and access during the roadway construction project.
The current operating scheduled is set out in 33 CFR 117.1021.
Under this modified temporary deviation, the north span of the bridge
will open-to-navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, from 6
a.m. to 7 p.m., and
[[Page 42249]]
on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The north and south spans of the bridge
will open to navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening
partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) Scheduled openings at
9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast, (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels
transiting northwest, and (3) at noon and 2 p.m. for two-way vessel
traffic through the bridge, Monday through Friday. The north and south
spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, with the
south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1)
Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast and
(2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, Saturday and Sunday.
The horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south span closed-to-
navigation is 38 feet and the horizontal clearance of the bridge with
the south span partially open-to-navigation is 70 feet. The modified
temporary deviation is necessary to relieve vessel congestion and
provide for safe navigation on the waterway. The bridge is a double
swing draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed position
of 6 feet above mean high water.
The North Landing River is used by a variety of vessels including
small U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug
and barge, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully
considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in
publishing this temporary deviation.
During the closure times there will be limited opportunity for
vessels which are able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed
position to do so. Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in
the closed position may do so, after receiving confirmation from the
bridge tender that it is safe to transit through the bridge. The north
span of the bridge will be able to open for emergencies. 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 modified 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: June 23, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts.
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-15295 Filed 6-28-16; 8:45 am]
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