[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8269-8270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03097]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-1044]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Elizabeth River, Eastern Branch, 
Norfolk, 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 Norfolk Southern 
5 Railroad Bridge, across the Elizabeth River Eastern Branch, 
mile 1.1, at Norfolk, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the 
replacement of 189 bridge ties and the reworking of the moveable rail 
joints on the Norfolk Southern 5 Railroad drawbridge. This 
temporary deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed to 
navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on March 4, 2014 to 2 
p.m. April 3, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-1044] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. 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 Mrs. Kashanda Booker, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6227, email [email protected]. If you have questions on 
reviewing the docket,

[[Page 8270]]

call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation, who owns 
and operates this drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from 
the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.5 to conduct the 
replacement of 189 bridge ties.
    Under the regular operating schedule, the Norfolk Southern 
5 Railroad Bridge, mile 1.1, in Norfolk, VA, the draw must 
open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request or 
signal to open is given. The draw normally is open and only closes for 
train crossings or periodic maintenance. The Norfolk Southern 
5 railroad Bridge, at mile 1.1, across the Elizabeth River 
(Eastern Branch) in Norfolk, VA, has a vertical clearance in the closed 
position to vessels of 6 feet above mean high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be closed to 
navigation on the following schedule for the days specified:

March 4: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 5: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
March 6: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 10: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 11: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 12: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 13: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April 2: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
April 3: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    At all other times the bridge will operate on its normal schedule. 
The bridge normally is maintained in the open-to-navigation position 
with several vessels transiting a week and only closes when trains 
transit across. Emergency openings cannot be provided. There are no 
alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Elizabeth 
River Eastern Branch but vessels may pass before 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and 
after 2 p.m. or 7 p.m.
    The Elizabeth River Eastern Branch is used by a variety of vessels 
including military, tug, commercial, and recreational vessels. The 
Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with these 
waterway users. The Coast Guard will also inform additional waterway 
users through our Local and Broadcast Notices 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 and 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 designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 24, 2014.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-03097 Filed 2-11-14; 8:45 am]
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