[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65548-65549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22916]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0181]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, 
VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation; 
modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge 
across the North Landing River, mile 20.2, at Chesapeake, VA. This 
modified deviation is necessary to perform emergency bridge repairs and 
provide for safe navigation. This modified deviation allows the bridge 
to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 p.m. on September 30, 2016, 
through 4 p.m. on October 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0181] 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 Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 11, 2016, the Coast Guard published 
a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North 
Landing River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 12824); 
on April 8, 2016, the Coast Guard published a modified temporary 
deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing 
River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 20529); and on 
June 29, 2016, the Coast Guard published a modified temporary deviation 
entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, 
Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 42248). These documents 
were necessary to authorize a temporary deviation from the operating 
regulations to perform repairs to the south swing span of the bridge 
due to damage sustained as a result of a vessel allision with the 
bridge that occurred on March 1, 2016. The United States Army Corps of 
Engineers, Norfolk District Office, who owns and operates the S165 
(North Landing Road) Bridge, has requested a modified temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulations to perform repairs to 
the south swing span of the bridge, following receipt of replacement 
parts scheduled to arrive in the first week of October 2016. The 
modified temporary deviation request is necessary to receive the 
replacement parts in the first week of October 2016 and allow for 
sufficient time to complete repairs to the bridge.
    The current operating scheduled is set out in 33 CFR 117.1021. 
Under this modified temporary deviation, the north span of the bridge 
will open-to-navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, from 6 
a.m. to 7 p.m., and on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The north and south 
spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, with the 
south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) 
Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast, (2) 
10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, and (3) at noon and 2 p.m. 
for two-way vessel traffic through the bridge, Monday through Friday, 
from Friday, September 30, 2016, through Monday, October 10, 2016. The 
north and south spans of the bridge will open to navigation 
concurrently, with the south span only opening partially due to damage, 
upon request, for: (1) Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels 
transiting southeast and (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting 
northwest, Saturday and Sunday, from Saturday, October 1, 2016, through 
Sunday, October 9, 2016. The north and south spans of the bridge will 
open to navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening 
partially due to damage, for additional on demand openings from October 
4, 2016, through October 10, 2016, if 48 hours notice is given. The 
south span of the bridge will be closed-to-navigation during bridge 
repair from 9 a.m., October 11, 2016, through 4 p.m., October 14, 2016. 
The horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south span closed-to-
navigation is 38 feet and the horizontal clearance of the bridge with 
the south span partially open-to-navigation is 70 feet. The modified 
temporary deviation is necessary to relieve vessel congestion and 
provide for safe navigation on the waterway. The bridge is a double 
swing draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed position 
of 6 feet above mean high water.
    The North Landing River is used by a variety of vessels including 
small U. S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, 
tug and barge, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully 
considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in 
publishing this temporary deviation.
    During the closure times there will be limited opportunity for 
vessels which are able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position to do so. Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in 
the closed position may do so, after receiving confirmation from the 
bridge tender that it is safe to transit

[[Page 65549]]

through the bridge. The north span of the bridge will be able to open 
for emergencies. 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 modified 
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: September 19, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-22916 Filed 9-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P