[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1611]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-04-010]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Southern Branch of the 
Elizabeth River, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has approved a temporary deviation from the 
regulations governing the operation of the Jordan Bridge across the 
Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, at mile 2.8, in Chesapeake, 
Virginia. From midnight on January 14, 2004, through midnight on 
February 14, 2004, this deviation allows the bridge to be untended and 
maintained in the full open position to vessels while a full assessment 
of the structural integrity of the bridge is completed. This deviation 
is necessary to facilitate the needs of navigation caused by an 
allision with a tug and barge that occurred on January 3, 2004.

DATES: This deviation is effective from midnight on January 14, 2004, 
through midnight on February 14, 2004.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 3, 2004, the Jordan Bridge 
experienced severe damage as a result of an allision with a tug and 
barge. This 75-year old vertical-lift drawbridge, which spans the 
Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, was struck nearly dead center 
causing significant damage to the bridge. The Jordan Bridge, which 
connects the cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth, is owned and operated 
by the City of Chesapeake.
    The structural impact of the mishap essentially knocked the bridge, 
which rises vertically between two towers, off its track locking the 
span approximately 80 feet in the air. Subsequently, waterway passage 
maintained a 75-foot vertical height restriction and efforts to realign 
the bridge span were completed on January 12, 2004. On January 13, 
2004, the damaged bridge was raised to the full open position to 145 
feet, at mean high water, and the Captain of the Port of Hampton Roads 
lifted all waterway restrictions on the Jordan Bridge allowing all 
vessel traffic to transit. Until a full assessment of the damages to 
Jordan Bridge is completed, the bridge will be maintained in the full 
open position to vessels and untended, except for two days, from 
midnight on January 14, 2004, through midnight on February 14, 2004. On 
January 22 and 23, 2004, the bridge will be lowered for repair 
inspections. During these two days the bridge will be tended and will 
operate as required by the regulations in 33 CFR 117.997(b).
    The District Commander has granted temporary deviation from the 
operating requirements listed in 33 CFR 117.997(b) to allow all vessel 
traffic to transit until a full assessment of Jordan Bridge is 
completed. The temporary deviation allows the Jordan Bridge across the 
Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 4.0, to remain in the full 
open position to vessels from midnight on January 14, 2004, through 
midnight on February 14, 2004, except for January 22 and 23, 2004.

    Dated: January 15, 2004.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Section, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 04-1611 Filed 1-26-04; 8:45 am]
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