
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 29, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42248-42249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15295]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0181]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, 
VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; 
modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge 
across the North Landing River, mile 20.2, at Chesapeake, VA. This 
modified deviation is necessary to perform emergency bridge repairs and 
provide for safe navigation. This modified deviation allows the bridge 
to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 p.m. on June 30, 2016, 
through 6:00 p.m. on September 30, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0181] 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. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 11, 2016, the Coast Guard published 
a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North 
Landing River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 12824) 
and on April 8, 2016, the Coast Guard published a modified temporary 
deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing 
River, Chesapeake, VA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 20529). These 
documents were necessary to authorize a temporary deviation from the 
operating regulations to perform repairs to the south swing span of the 
bridge due to damage sustained as a result of a vessel allision with 
the bridge that occurred on March 1, 2016. The United States Army Corps 
of Engineers, Norfolk District Office, who owns and operates the S165 
(North Landing Road) Bridge, has requested a modified temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulations to perform repairs to 
the south swing span of the bridge, following completion of an ongoing 
roadway construction project on Elbow Road, Chesapeake, VA, in which 
the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge is currently serving as a detour 
route. The modified temporary deviation request is necessary to provide 
for public safety and access during the roadway construction project.
    The current operating scheduled is set out in 33 CFR 117.1021. 
Under this modified temporary deviation, the north span of the bridge 
will open-to-navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, from 6 
a.m. to 7 p.m., and

[[Page 42249]]

on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The north and south spans of the bridge 
will open to navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening 
partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) Scheduled openings at 
9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast, (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels 
transiting northwest, and (3) at noon and 2 p.m. for two-way vessel 
traffic through the bridge, Monday through Friday. The north and south 
spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, with the 
south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) 
Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast and 
(2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, Saturday and Sunday. 
The horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south span closed-to-
navigation is 38 feet and the horizontal clearance of the bridge with 
the south span partially open-to-navigation is 70 feet. The modified 
temporary deviation is necessary to relieve vessel congestion and 
provide for safe navigation on the waterway. The bridge is a double 
swing draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed position 
of 6 feet above mean high water.
    The North Landing River is used by a variety of vessels including 
small U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug 
and barge, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully 
considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in 
publishing this temporary deviation.
    During the closure times there will be limited opportunity for 
vessels which are able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position to do so. Vessels able to safely 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 north 
span of the bridge will be able to open for emergencies. 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 modified 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: June 23, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts.
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-15295 Filed 6-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


