[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 45 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10615-10616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5099]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-04-041]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, 
AICW, 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 
new S168 (Great Bridge) lift-span bridge across the Albemarle and 
Chesapeake Canal, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) mile 12.0, at 
Chesapeake, Virginia to allow the bridge owner to conduct the 
demolition of the existing S168 (Great Bridge) swing-span bridge. The 
work will be performed on a three-day closure period to navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 3, 2004, to 7 
a.m. on March 7, 2004.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tidewater Skanska Corporation (TSC), on 
behalf of the bridge owner (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulation 
set out in 33 CFR 117.997(g) which requires the drawbridge to open on 
signal, except that, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw need be opened 
only on the hour. If any vessel is approaching the bridge and cannot 
reach the draw exactly on the hour, the draw tender may delay the 
hourly opening up to 10 minutes past the hour for the passage of the 
approaching vessel and any other vessels that are waiting to pass. 
Vessels in an emergency condition, which presents danger to life or 
property, shall be passed at any time. TSC has requested the temporary 
deviation to close the new S168 (Great Bridge) lift-span bridge to 
navigation to demolish the existing S168 (Great Bridge) swing-span 
bridge.
    The work involves the removal and disposal of the existing swing 
spans and turntable piers associated with the existing S168 (Great 
Bridge) swing-span bridge. To facilitate this work, the new S168 (Great 
Bridge) lift-span bridge will be locked in the closed-to-navigation

[[Page 10616]]

position on a three-day closure period from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m., from 
March 3-7, 2004. During this period, the work requires completely 
immobilizing the operation of the lift span in the closed-to-navigation 
position. At all other times, the new bridge will operate in accordance 
with the current operating regulations outlined in 33 CFR 117.997(g). 
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 drawbridge. The temporary deviation allows the 
S168 (Great Bridge) lift-span bridge across the Albemarle and 
Chesapeake Canal, AICW, mile 12.0, at Chesapeake, Virginia, to remain 
closed to navigation on a three-day closure period from March 3-7, 
2004, from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m.

    Dated: March 1, 2004.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 04-5099 Filed 3-5-04; 8:45 am]
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