Document ID: USCG-2017-0239-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Chincoteague Channel, Chincoteague Island, VA
Posted Date: 2017-04-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06448]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0239]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Chincoteague Channel, 
Chincoteague Island, 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 SR 175 Bridge which carries SR 175 
across the Chincoteague Channel, mile 3.5 (physically situated at mile 
3.9), at Chincoteague Island, VA. The deviation is necessary to 
facilitate the biennial bridge inspection. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. on 
Thursday, April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0239] 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-
6557, email Michael.R.Thorogood@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the SR 175 Bridge that carries SR 175 across the 
Chincoteague Channel, mile 3.5 (physically situated at mile 3.9), at 
Chincoteague Island, VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating schedule to facilitate the biennial bridge inspection 
of the bascule span for the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical 
clearance of 15 feet above mean high water (MHW) in the closed position 
and unlimited vertical clearance in the open position.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.1005. Under 
this temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-
to-navigation position from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 
6, 2017. The Chincoteague Channel is used by a variety of vessels 
including public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug and barge 
traffic, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully 
coordinated the restrictions with waterway users in publishing this 
temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open for 
emergencies, if at least 30 minutes notice is given, and there is no 
immediate alternative route for vessels unable to pass through the 
bridge in the closed position. 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.

    Dated: March 28, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-06448 Filed 3-31-17; 8:45 am]
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