[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 82 (Friday, April 29, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22252-22253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8568]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-05-031]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Elizabeth River, Eastern 
Branch, 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 
Norfolk Southern (NS) 5 Railroad Bridge across the Elizabeth 
River, Eastern Branch, at mile 1.1, in Norfolk, VA in May 2005. To 
facilitate extensive maintenance that is required at the bridge, the 
deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position for three daytime closure periods during May, each closure 
period lasting 2 to 4 days.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on May 3 to 4:30 p.m. on 
May 19, 2005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation, who owns 
and operates the NS 5 Railroad Bridge, has requested temporary 
deviations in May 2005 from the operating regulation to change out two 
sets of lift joints from the lift span of the bridge and to replace 504 
bridge ties on the east bound main track.
    To facilitate this extensive maintenance of the bridge, the lift-
span will be locked in the closed-to-navigation position during the 
following closure periods: each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on May 3 and 
4, 2005; each day from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 
p.m. on May 9 to 12 and on May 16 to 19, 2005. During these stages, the 
work requires completely immobilizing the operation of the lift span in 
the closed-to-navigation position. At all other times, the bridge

[[Page 22253]]

will operate in accordance with the general operating regulations set 
out in 33 CFR 117.5 that require the bridge to open promptly and fully 
for the passage of vessels when a request to open is given.
    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 deviations.
    The District Commander has granted a 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 
NS 5 Railroad Bridge across the Eastern Branch of the 
Elizabeth River, at mile 1.1, in Norfolk VA, to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position during the following closure periods: each day 
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on May 3 and 4, 2005; each day from 8:30 a.m. to 
12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 9 to 12 and on May 16 to 
19, 2005.

    Dated: April 12, 2005.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05-8568 Filed 4-28-05; 8:45 am]
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