[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 100 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29722-29723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11405]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2008-0229, Formerly CGD05-07-021]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is withdrawing its notice of proposed 
rulemaking concerning the proposed change to the regulations that 
govern the operation of the Centerville Turnpike (SR 170) Bridge, at 
AIWW mile 15.2, across the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in 
Chesapeake, Virginia. The requested change would have allowed the 
bridge to open on signal every hour on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 
6:30 p.m., year round. The withdrawal is based on further investigation 
indicating that this change would not improve the schedule for both 
roadway and waterway users.

DATES: The proposed rule published on April 6, 2007 (72 FR 17065), is 
withdrawn on May 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this withdrawn rulemaking is available for 
inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also find 
this docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice, call Bill H. Brazier, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth Coast 
Guard District, at (757) 398-6422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On April 6, 2007, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled ``Drawbridge Operation

[[Page 29723]]

Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), Albemarle and 
Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (72 FR 
17065). This rulemaking would have allowed the bridge to open on signal 
every hour on the half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., year round.

Withdrawal

    The City of Chesapeake, which owns and operates this swing-type 
bridge, had requested a change to the existing regulations in an effort 
to improve the travel for mariners to arrive at the Great Bridge (S168) 
Bridge across the Albemarle and Chesapeake, at AIWW mile 12.0 at 
Chesapeake, (approximately three miles away).
    The Coast Guard conducted a lengthy and thorough investigation with 
both roadway and waterway users. Our investigation revealed that the 
proposal would not improve the transit of waterway users because it 
would impose possibly hazardous and unnecessary delays on slower 
vessels, such as sailboats and trawlers, that are probably most of the 
transient vessels needing openings at the bridge. Additionally, all of 
the comments received during the comment period were in favor of 
keeping the current schedule.

Authority

    This action is taken under the authority of 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 
1.05-1; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

    Dated: May 12, 2008.
Fred M. Rosa, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. E8-11405 Filed 5-21-08; 8:45 am]
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