Document ID: USCG-2018-0972-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Elizabeth River- Eastern Branch, Norfolk, VA
Posted Date: 2018-10-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 207 (Thursday, October 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53813-53814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23319]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0972]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Elizabeth River--Eastern Branch, 
Norfolk, 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 Berkley (U.S. 460/S.R. 337) Bridge 
across the Elizabeth River--Eastern Branch, mile 0.4, at Norfolk, VA. 
The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position to facilitate testing of the emergency drive 
motors.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 2:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. on October 
28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0972], 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. Mickey Sanders, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6587, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the Berkley (U.S. 460/S.R. 337) Bridge across the 
Elizabeth River--Eastern Branch, mile 0.4, at Norfolk, VA, has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulation 
set out in 33 CFR 117.1007(b), to facilitate testing of the emergency 
drive motor on both spans of the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 2:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. on October 28, 
2018. The drawbridge has two spans, each with double-leaf bascule 
draws, and both spans have a vertical clearance in the closed-to-
navigation position of 48 feet above mean high water.
    The Elizabeth River--Eastern Branch is transited by recreational 
vessels, tug and barge traffic, fishing vessels, and small commercial 
vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume 
of vessel traffic on the waterway in publishing this temporary 
deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridges in the closed position may 
do so at any time. The bridge spans will not be able to open in case of 
an emergency and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. 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.

[[Page 53814]]

    Dated: October 19, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-23319 Filed 10-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P