81 FR 6178 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, South Branch of the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth-Chesapeake, VA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 24 (February 5, 2016)

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Norfolk and Western railroad bridge (Norfolk Southern V6.8 Bridge) across the South Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 3.6, at Portsmouth-Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6178-6179]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02100]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0046]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
South Branch of the Elizabeth River, Portsmouth-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 Norfolk and Western railroad bridge 
(Norfolk Southern V6.8 Bridge) across the South Branch of the Elizabeth 
River, mile 3.6, at Portsmouth-Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is 
necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. This deviation 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on February 5, 2016 to 7 
p.m. on February 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation [USCG-2016-0046] 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 Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Administration 
Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-6222, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation, that owns 
and operates the Norfolk and Western railroad bridge (Norfolk Southern 
V6.8 Bridge), has requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating regulations to install new festoon systems between the bridge 
towers. The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 10 feet above mean high water.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.997(b). 
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from February 5, 2016 
through February 7, 2016. During this temporary deviation, the bridge 
will operate per 33 CFR 117.997(b) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    The South Branch of the Elizabeth River is used by a variety of 
vessels including deep draft ocean-going

[[Page 6179]]

vessels, U.S. government vessels, small commercial vessels, 
recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast Guard has 
carefully coordinated the restrictions with waterway users.
    There will be limited opportunity for vessels to transit through 
the bridge in the closed position during this temporary deviation. 
Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do 
so after receiving confirmation from the bridge tender that it is safe 
to transit through the bridge. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways 
through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in 
operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange 
their transit 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: January 28, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-02100 Filed 2-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P