[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25250]



[[Page 55510]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0573]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Southern Branch of the Elizabeth 
River, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of 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 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 modified deviation is effective without actual notice from 
November 22, 2017 through 11 p.m. on December 3, 2017. For purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 11:01 p.m. on November 22, 
2017, until November 22, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0573] 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 modified 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Mickey Sanders, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6587, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 26, 2017, the Coast Guard 
published a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation 
Regulation; Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Chesapeake, VA'' in 
the Federal Register (82 FR 44733). That document resulted from 
Virginia State Department of Transportation's request for a temporary 
deviation, occurring from 7 a.m. on October 2, 2017, through 11 p.m. on 
November 22, 2017, from the normal operation of the drawbridge to 
accommodate routine maintenance to bridge. Subsequent to the approval 
of that request, Virginia State Department of Transportation requested 
a modification to the temporary deviation, starting from 11:01 p.m. on 
November 22, 2017, through 11 p.m. on December 3, 2017, to allow more 
time to remove and replace the center locks and install new electrical 
wiring and lubrication piping. Therefore, through this document, the 
Coast Guard modifies the dates of the previously approved temporary 
deviation to allow the I-64 (High Rise) Bridge across the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway, Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 
7.1, at Chesapeake, VA, to remain in the closed-to-navigation position 
from Midnight on November 29, 2017, through 11 p.m. on December 3, 
2017. At all other times, the bridge will open on signal if at least 24 
hours notice is given. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 65 feet 
above mean high water in the closed position. The current operating 
schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.997(e).
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so if at least 15 minutes notice is given. The bridge will not be 
able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route 
for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. 
The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our 
Local and Broadcast Notice 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 this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of this effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: November 17, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-25250 Filed 11-21-17; 8:45 am]
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