[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46879-46880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20067]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2018-0761]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Isle of Wight and
Newport News, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
[[Page 46880]]
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the US 17/US 258/SR 32/James River
Bridge, which carries US 17, US 258, and SR 32, across the James River,
mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, 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 September 26, 2018,
through 12:01 a.m. on September 28, 2018.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0761 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 U.S. 17/U.S. 258/SR 32/James River Bridge
which carries U.S. 17, U.S. 258, SR 32, across the James River, mile
5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, has requested a
temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to facilitate
replacement of a rotary cam limit switch in the span drive system of
the vertical lift span of the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical
clearance of 60 feet above mean high water in the closed position and
145 feet above mean high water in the open position.
The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.5. Under
this temporary deviation, the bridge will be in the closed-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. on September 26, 2018, through 12:01
a.m. on September 28, 2018.
The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep
draft ocean-going vessels, U.S. government and 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 any time. 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: September 11, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-20067 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P