[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12063-12064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04738]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0074]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Milford Haven Inlet, Hudgins, 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 VA State Route 223 Bridge (Gwynn's 
Island) across the Milford Haven Inlet, mile 0.1, at Hudgins, Virginia. 
The deviation is necessary to facilitate painting the bridge. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position during the evening.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from March 4, 
2014 until 4 a.m. on March 31, 2014. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 6 p.m. on February 24, 2014, until 
March 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2014-0074, 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. Jessica Shea, Bridge Management 
Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6422. Email 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The bridge owner, the Virginia Department of 
Transportation (VDOT), is currently conducting maintenance on the Route 
223 Swing Bridge over Milford Haven Inlet near Hudgins, Virginia. On 
August 8, 2013, Coast Guard published a temporary deviation (78 FR 
48314) allowing the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation position for 
four 24-hour non-consecutive periods to accommodate necessary 
maintenance. The closures dates were announced in the local and 
broadcast notice to mariners seven days in advance.
    Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project has fallen behind and 
VDOT has requested for an additional deviation to run simultaneously 
with the aforementioned deviation in order to facilitate the 
supplemental rehabilitation work that includes painting the bridge. 
This deviation will allow the bridge to be in the closed-to-navigation 
position every day from 6 p.m. through 4 a.m. the following morning. 
The evening closures will commence on February 24, 2014 and continue 
through March 31, 2014 when both deviations will end.
    Under the regular operating schedule for the Route 223 Swing 
Bridge, the bridge opens on signal, as required by 33 CFR Sec.  117.5 
and opens up to ten times every day for commercial fishing vessels and 
Coast Guard vessels at Station Milford Haven. The 24-hour temporary 
deviation discussed in the published temporary deviation (78 FR 48314) 
will not be impacted by this nighttime temporary deviation for 
painting.
    The vertical clearance of the swing bridge in the closed-to-
navigation position is 12 feet at mean high water. Vessels able to pass 
through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time and are 
advised to proceed with caution. The bridge will be able to open for 
emergencies during any of the closure periods. The southern approach to 
Gywnn's Island by Sandy Point, VA can be used as an alternate route for 
vessels able to transit in water depths of 2 feet. The Coast Guard will 
also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge 
so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact 
caused by the temporary deviation.
    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

[[Page 12064]]

from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: February 19, 2014.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2014-04738 Filed 3-3-14; 8:45 am]
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