Document ID: USCG-2016-0946-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA
Posted Date: 2016-10-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25435]

[[Page 72527]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0946]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Elizabeth River, 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, mile 0.4, at Norfolk, VA. The deviation is 
necessary to facilitate testing of the emergency drive motors. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on October 30, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0946] 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 Mickey.D.Sanders2@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the Berkley (U.S. 460/S.R. 337) Bridge across the 
Elizabeth River, 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 motors on 
both spans of the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on October 30, 
2016. 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 Berkley Bridge is used 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 anytime. 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 drawbridges must return to 
their 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 17, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-25435 Filed 10-19-16; 8:45 am]
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