[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 71 (Friday, April 14, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17939-17940]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07599]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0204]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Chincoteague Channel, 
Chincoteague Island, 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 SR 175 Bridge across the 
Chincoteague Channel, mile 3.5 (physically situated at mile 3.9), at 
Chincoteague Island, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate 
bridge maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 
2017, through 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0204] 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6557, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the SR 175 Bridge that carries SR 175 across the 
Chincoteague Channel, mile 3.5 (physically situated at mile 3.9), at 
Chincoteague Island, VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating schedule to facilitate the replacement of the 
hydraulic fluids of the bascule span for the drawbridge. The bridge has 
vertical clearance of 15 feet above mean high water (MHW) in the closed 
position and unlimited vertical clearance in the open position. The 
current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.1005. Under this 
temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2017, through 7 
p.m. on Friday,

[[Page 17940]]

April 28, 2017, Monday through Friday, 24 hours a day.
    The Chincoteague Channel is used by a variety of vessels including 
public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug and barge traffic, and 
recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the 
restrictions with waterway users in publishing this temporary 
deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels 
unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local 
Notice and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators 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 from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: April 11, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-07599 Filed 4-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P