Document ID: USCG-2015-0948-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA
Posted Date: 2015-10-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62456-62457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26358]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0948]

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and 
Newport News, 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 James River Bridge (US 17 and VA 
258) across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and 
Newport News, VA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position to facilitate work on electrical control 
and power wiring systems on the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on October 16, 2015, 
until 8 p.m. on October 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0948], 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 Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the James River Bridge (US 17 and VA 258), has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations 
to facilitate work on electrical control and power wiring systems on 
the bridge. 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 set out in 33 CFR 117.5. Under 
this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-to-
navigation position from 8 a.m. on October 16, 2015 until 8 p.m. on 
October 19, 2015.

[[Page 62457]]

The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep draft 
ocean-going vessels, U. S. government vessels, small commercial fishing 
vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast 
Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with U. S. government 
and commercial waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at anytime. The bridge will not 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. 2015-26358 Filed 10-15-15; 8:45 am]
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