[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03546]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0066]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Between Isle of 
Wight and Newport News, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the draw of the James River Draw Bridge 
across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport 
News, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate generator 
replacement on the James River Draw Bridge. This temporary deviation 
will allow the drawbridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position on specific dates and times.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on February 16, 
2013, until 5 a.m. on February 18, 2013; from 12:01 a.m. on February 
23, 2013, until 5 a.m. on February 25, 2013; and from 12:01 a.m. on 
March 2, 2013, until 5 a.m. on March 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice, USCG-2013-0066, is available 
online at www.regulations.gov by typing in the docket number in the 
``SEARCH'' box and clicking ``SEARCH.'' Next, click on the Open Docket 
Folder on the line associated with this notice. You may also visit the 
Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6557, email [email protected]. If you have questions on 
reviewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates this vertical lift bridge, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 
33 CFR 117.5, to facilitate generator replacement on the structure.
    Under the regular operating schedule, the James River Bridge, mile 
5.0, between Isle of Isle and Newport News, VA opens on signal. The 
James River Bridge has vertical clearances in the open and closed 
position of 145 feet and 60 feet, above mean high water, respectively.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be closed on 
weekends to navigation from 12:01 a.m. on February 16, 2013, until 5 
a.m. on February 18, 2013; from 12:01 a.m. on February 23, 2013, until 
5 a.m. on February 25, 2013; and from 12:01 a.m. on March 2, 2013 until 
5 a.m. on March 4, 2013. If weather conditions are favorable during the 
first two weekends of the deviation, mariners will be notified via a 
broadcast notice to mariners and local media that the bridge will 
return to its regular operating schedule and that the third week of 
closure is no longer necessary.
    Only emergency openings will be provided with up to a two-hour 
delay in opening. There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting 
this section of the James River.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including 
freighters, tugs, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has 
carefully coordinated the restrictions with commercial and recreational 
waterway users. The Coast Guard will inform all users of the waterway 
through our Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the closure 
periods for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to 
minimize any impacts caused by the temporary deviation. Mariners able 
to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. 
Mariners are advised to proceed with caution.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: February 5, 2013.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-03546 Filed 2-14-13; 8:45 am]
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