[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23034-23035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10570]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-03-037]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Elizabeth River Southern 
Branch, AICWW, Virginia

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Dominion (Steel) Bridge across the Elizabeth River (Southern Branch) 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICWW) mile 8.8, at Chesapeake, 
Virginia to allow the bridge owner to conduct needed mechanical work. 
The work will be performed at night. The closure periods to navigation 
are from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 8 p.m. to 
5 a.m., on Sundays to Mondays.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on May 2, 2003, to 5 
a.m. on June 9, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Brazier, Bridge Management 
Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Chesapeake has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulation set out in 33 
CFR 117.997(f) which requires the drawbridge to open on signal, except 
that, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through 
Friday except Federal holidays, the draw need not open for the passage 
of recreational vessels. The City of Chesapeake has requested the 
temporary deviation to allow necessary repairs to the drawbridge in a 
critical time sensitive manner.
    The work involves the replacement of bent sections of the nose and 
tail locks on the moveable span of the bridge. To facilitate the 
replacement, the bascule span will be locked in the closed position to 
vessels at night for up to 11 hours on each Friday and Saturday from 8 
p.m. to 7 a.m., and up to nine hours each Sunday to Monday, from 8 p.m. 
to 5 a.m., from May 2-5, May 9-12, May 16-19, May 30--June 2, and June 
6-9, 2003. During this period, the work requires completely 
immobilizing the operation of the bascule span in the closed position 
to vessels. At all other times, the bridge will operate in accordance 
with the current operating regulations outlined in 33 CFR 117.997(f). 
Calling the project superintendent at (757) 672-4829 will provide for 
emergency opening requests.
    The Coast Guard has informed the known users of the waterway of the 
closure periods for the bridge so that these vessels can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    The District Commander has granted temporary deviation from the 
operating requirements listed in 33 CFR 117.35 for the purpose of 
repair completion of the

[[Page 23035]]

drawbridge. The temporary deviation allows the Dominion (Steel) Bridge 
across the Elizabeth River (Southern Branch) AICWW mile 8.8, at 
Chesapeake, Virginia, to remain closed to navigation from May 2-5, May 
9-12, May 16-19, May 30--June 2, and June 6-9, 2003; from 8 p.m. to 7 
a.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., on Sundays 
to Mondays.

    Dated: April 22, 2003.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Section, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-10570 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]
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