Document ID: USCG-2016-0360-0002
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; York River, Yorktown, VA
Posted Date: 2016-08-02T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 2, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18214]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0360]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; York River, Yorktown, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation; modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Coleman Memorial Bridge (US 17) 
across the York River, mile 7.0, Yorktown, VA. This modified deviation 
is necessary to perform additional bridge maintenance. This modified 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: This modified deviation is effective from 7 a.m. July 31, 2016, 
to 7 p.m. on August 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0360] 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 Mrs. Traci Whitfield, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6629, email Traci.G.Whitfield@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 26, 2016, the Coast Guard published a 
temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; York 
River, Yorktown, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 33391). Under that 
temporary deviation, the bridge would remain in the closed-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as follows: Sunday, May 22, 
2016; Sunday, June 5, 2016, with an inclement weather date on Sunday, 
June 12, 2016; Sunday, June 19, 2016, with an inclement weather date on 
Sunday, June 26, 2016; and Sunday, July 10, 2016, with an inclement 
weather date on Sunday, July 17, 2016.
    The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), who owns and 
operates the Coleman Memorial Bridge (US 17), has requested a modified 
temporary deviation from the currently published deviation to complete 
repairs. The bridge must be in the closed-to-navigation position, for 
an additional two Sundays, in order to perform the complexity of 
mechanical work, which normally takes two weeks and cannot be 
accomplished when the bridge is moveable. The bridge is a single 
bascule span and has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 
seven feet above mean high water.
    Under this modified temporary deviation, the bridge will continue 
to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as 
follows: July 31, 2016, with an inclement weather date on Sunday, 
August 7, 2016; and Sunday, August 21, 2016, with an inclement weather 
date on Sunday, August 28, 2016. At all other times, the bridge will 
operate in accordance with the operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 
117.1025.
    The York 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 immediate 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 
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: July 22, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-18214 Filed 8-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P