80 FR 30157 - Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 101 (May 27, 2015)

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the James River Draw Bridge across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate electrical repairs to the south tower of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30157-30158]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12737]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0402]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and 
Newport News, 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 James River Draw Bridge across the 
James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. This 
deviation is necessary to facilitate electrical repairs to the south 
tower of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0402], is

[[Page 30158]]

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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6222, email [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the James River Draw Bridge, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 
33 CFR 117.5, to facilitate electrical repairs on the south tower of 
the bridge.
    Under the regular operating schedule, the James River Draw Bridge, 
mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, opens on signal. 
The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be closed to 
navigation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8, 2015.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including 
freighters, tugs, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has 
carefully coordinated the restrictions with commercial and recreational 
waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies 
and there is no alternate route for vessels to pass 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 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: May 15, 2015.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-12737 Filed 5-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P