[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 165 (Monday, August 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18160]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0806]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Southern Branch of the Elizabeth 
River, Chesapeake, 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 I-64 (High Rise) Bridge across the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, 
mile 7.1, at Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate 
routine maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 4 a.m. through 5:30 a.m. on 
August 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0806] 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. Martin Bridges, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6422, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the I-64 (High Rise) Bridge across the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 
7.1, at Chesapeake, VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.997(e), to 
facilitate rigging equipment into the bascule pits.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 4 a.m. through 5:30 a.m. on August 
27, 2017. The drawbridge has two spans, each with double-leaf bascule 
draws, and both spans have a vertical clearance in the closed-to-
navigation position of 65 feet above mean high water.
    The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the 
Elizabeth River is used by a verity of vessels including recreational 
vessels, tug and barge traffic, small fishing vessels, and small 
commercial vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature 
and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in publishing this 
temporary deviation.
    The channel will be closed to all traffic from 4 a.m. through 4:30 
a.m. and from 5 a.m. through 5:30 a.m. on August 27, 2017. Vessels able 
to pass through the bridge in the closed position from 4:30 a.m. 
through 5 a.m. may do so. The bridge spans will not be able to open in 
case of an emergency and there is no immediate alternate route for 
vessels to pass. 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: August 22, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-18160 Filed 8-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P