Document ID: USCG-2017-0573-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Chesapeake, VA
Posted Date: 2017-09-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44733-44734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20564]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0573]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Southern Branch of the Elizabeth 
River, Chesapeake, 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 I-64 (High Rise) Bridge across the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, 
mile 7.1, at Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate 
routine maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 2, 2017 
through 11 p.m. on November 22, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0573] 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, 
owner and operator of the I-64 (High Rise) Bridge across the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 
7.1, at Chesapeake, VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating schedule to accommodate annual maintenance to remove 
and replace the center locks and install new electrical wiring and 
lubrication piping. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 65 feet 
above mean high water (MHW) in the closed position.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.997(e). 
Under this

[[Page 44734]]

temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-
navigation position for four (4) separate five (5) day periods from 7 
a.m., October 2, 2017, through 11 p.m., October 6, 2017; from 7 a.m., 
October 16, 2017, through 11 p.m., October 20, 2017; from 7 a.m., 
October 30, 2017, through 11 p.m., November 3, 2017; from 7 a.m., 
November 13, 2017, through 11.p.m., November 17, 2017. The alternate 
dates for inclement weather are from 7 a.m., October 9, 2017, through 
11 p.m., October 13, 2017; from 7 a.m., October 23, 2017, through 11 
p.m., October 27, 2017; from 7 a.m., November 6, 2017, through 11 p.m., 
November 10, 2017; from 7 a.m., November 18, 2017, through 11 p.m., 
November 22, 2017. The bridge will open on signal if at least 24 hours 
notice is given at all other times.
    The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the 
Elizabeth River is used by a variety of vessels including small 
commercial vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. 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 position may 
do so if at least 15 minutes notice is given. 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 Notice 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 this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of this effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: September 21, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-20564 Filed 9-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P