[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5916-5917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02099]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0057]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, 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 James River Bridge (US17) across 
the James River, mile 5.0, at Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. The 
deviation is necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 a.m. on February 7, 2016 to 7 
p.m. on February 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0057] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Administration 
Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-6222, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
that owns and operates the James River Bridge (US17), has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to perform 
repairs to the aerial electrical cable connecting the north tower to 
the south tower. The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a 
vertical clearance in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high 
water.
    The current operating schedule is open on signal as set out in 33 
CFR 117.5. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in 
the closed-to-

[[Page 5917]]

navigation position from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from February 7, 2016 through 
February 14, 2016. During this temporary deviation, the bridge will 
operate per 33 CFR 117.5 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep 
draft ocean-going vessels, U.S. government vessels, small commercial 
vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast 
Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies 
and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. 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 vessel operators can arrange their 
transit 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 from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 28, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-02099 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
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