Document ID: USCG-2013-0910-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Elizabeth River, Eastern Branch, Norfolk, VA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.)
Posted Date: 2013-11-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66265-66266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26533]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0910]

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 draw of the Norfolk Southern 
5 Railroad Bridge, across the Elizabeth River Eastern Branch, 
mile 1.1, at Norfolk, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate 
replacing the broken tread plates and milling the top of the plates and 
webs to create a flat surface on the Norfolk Southern 5 
Railroad drawbridge. The final phase of repairs is shimming the tread 
plates into place. This temporary deviation allows the drawbridge to 
remain in the closed to navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from November 5, 2013 through 
December 8, 2013, and has been enforced with actual notice since 
November 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0910] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mrs. Kashanda Booker, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6227, email Kashanda.l.booker@uscg.mil. If you have questions on 
reviewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation, who owns 
and operates this drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from 
the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.5 to facilitate 
thermite welding on the rails.

[[Page 66266]]

    Under the regular operating schedule, the Norfolk Southern 
5 Railroad Bridge, mile 1.1, in Norfolk, VA, the draw must 
open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request or 
signal to open is given. The draw normally is open and only closes for 
train crossings or periodic maintenance. The Norfolk Southern 
5 railroad Bridge, at mile 1.1, across the Elizabeth River 
(Eastern Branch) in Norfolk, VA, has a vertical clearance in the closed 
position to vessels of 6 feet above mean high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be maintained 
in the closed to navigation position each day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
on November 4, 2013 until December 8, 2013 the bridge will operate 
under normal operating schedule at all other times. The bridge normally 
is maintained in the open-to-navigation position with several vessels 
transiting a week and only closes when trains transit. Emergency 
openings cannot be provided. There are no alternate routes for vessels 
transiting this section of the Elizabeth River Eastern Branch but 
vessels may pass before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
    The Elizabeth River Eastern Branch is used by a variety of vessels 
including military, tug, commercial, and recreational vessels. The 
Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with these 
waterway users. The Coast Guard will also inform additional waterway 
users through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the 
closure periods for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary deviation. 
Mariners able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so 
at any time and are advised to proceed with caution.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 21, 2013.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-26533 Filed 11-4-13; 8:45 am]
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