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.

83 FR 46879