Document ID: USCG-2012-0870-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Elizabeth River, Southern Branch, Chesapeake, VA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.)
Posted Date: 2012-09-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59082-59083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23658]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0870]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Elizabeth River, Southern Branch, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the operation of the Norfolk Southern 
7 Railroad Bridge across the Elizabeth River (Southern 
Branch), AIWW mile 5.8, at Chesapeake, VA. This deviation is necessary 
to facilitate replacing lift joints on the Norfolk Southern 7 
Railroad Bridge. This temporary deviation will allow the drawbridge to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position on specific dates and 
times.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on October 9, 2012 until 
8 p.m. on October 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0870 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0870 in the ``Keywords'' 
box and then clicking ``Search''. This material is also available for 
inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
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 rule, 
call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth 
Coast Guard District; telephone (757) 398-6557, email

[[Page 59083]]

James.L.Rousseau2@uscg.mil. If you have any questions on reviewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation, owner and 
operator of the single-leaf bascule Norfolk Southern 7 
Railroad Bridge, mile 5.8, at Chesapeake, VA, has requested a temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 
117.997(d), to accommodate lift joint replacement.
    Under the current operating schedule the bridge shall be left in 
the open position at all times and will only be lowered for the passage 
of trains and to perform periodic maintenance. The Norfolk Southern 
7 Bridge, at AIWW mile 5.8, across the Elizabeth River 
(Southern Branch) in Chesapeake, VA, has a vertical clearance in the 
closed position to vessels of 7 feet above mean high water.
    To facilitate lift joint replacement, the drawbridge will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
on October 9, 2012 and again from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 11, 2012; 
at all other times the bridge will operate in accordance to its regular 
operating schedule. The bridge normally operates in the open position 
with several vessels transiting a week. Coordination with waterway 
users has been completed.
    The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the opening restrictions of 
the draw span to minimize transiting delays caused by the temporary 
deviation. There are no alternate routes available but vessels may pass 
between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the relevant time period. Mariners 
able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any 
time and the bridge is able to open for emergencies. Mariners 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: September 17, 2012.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-23658 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
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