[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02082]



[[Page 4845]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0085]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Anacostia River, Washington, DC

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 Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge 
across the Anacostia River, mile 1.2, at Washington, DC. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the construction and replacement of the 
existing Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge with a fixed bridge on an 
alignment 18 feet south of the existing bridge. The current Frederick 
Douglass Memorial Bridge will be removed in its entirety. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position during construction.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on February 2, 2018, 
through 6 a.m. on August 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0085], 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. Marty Bridges, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6422, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The District of Columbia Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates the Frederick Douglass Memorial 
Bridge, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulation. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate the 
construction and replacement of the existing Frederick Douglass 
Memorial Bridge with a fixed bridge on an alignment 18 feet south of 
the existing bridge. The existing bridge is a swing span bridge, and 
has a vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position of 42 
feet above mean high water.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.253. Under 
this temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-
to-navigation position from 6 a.m. on February 2, 2018, through 6 a.m. 
on August 1, 2018. The Anacostia River is used by a variety of vessels 
including small commercial vessels 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 position may 
do so at anytime. 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 vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impacts 
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 the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 30, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-02082 Filed 2-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P