Document ID: USCG-2018-0761-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA
Posted Date: 2018-09-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46879-46880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20067]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0761]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Isle of Wight and 
Newport News, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 46880]]

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 US 17/US 258/SR 32/James River 
Bridge, which carries US 17, US 258, and SR 32, across the James River, 
mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. The deviation is 
necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 26, 2018, 
through 12:01 a.m. on September 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0761 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-
6557, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the U.S. 17/U.S. 258/SR 32/James River Bridge 
which carries U.S. 17, U.S. 258, SR 32, across the James River, mile 
5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to facilitate 
replacement of a rotary cam limit switch in the span drive system of 
the vertical lift span of the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical 
clearance of 60 feet above mean high water in the closed position and 
145 feet above mean high water in the open position.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.5. Under 
this temporary deviation, the bridge will be in the closed-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. on September 26, 2018, through 12:01 
a.m. on September 28, 2018.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep 
draft ocean-going vessels, U.S. government and public vessels, small 
commercial vessels, tug and barge traffic, and recreational vessels. 
The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with 
waterway users in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels 
unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local 
Notice and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their 
transits 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: September 11, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-20067 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P