
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 180 (Friday, September 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63700-63701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22300]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0866]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; 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 Bridge (US17) across 
the James River, mile 5.0, at Isle of Wight and Newport News, 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 5 a.m. on September 19, 2016, 
to 7 p.m. on October 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0866] 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: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
that owns and operates the James River Bridge (US17), across the James 
River, mile 5.0, at Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to perform 
repairs to the aerial electrical cable connecting the north tower to 
the south tower. The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a 
vertical clearance in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high 
water.
    The current operating schedule is open on signal as set out in 33 
CFR 117.5. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in 
the closed-to-

[[Page 63701]]

navigation position from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September 19, 2016, 
through September 30, 2016; with alternate dates from October 1, 2016, 
through October 16, 2016. During this temporary deviation, the bridge 
will operate per 33 CFR 117.5 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep 
draft ocean-going 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.
    During closure periods a 55-foot by 150-foot crane barge will be 
positioned alongside the bridge at various locations within the main 
navigation span of the bridge with the centerline of the barge 
perpendicular to the bridge. Vessels able to safely pass through the 
bridge in the closed position with the crane barge positioned alongside 
the bridge may do so at anytime. Vessels planning to transit through 
the bridge in the closed position with the crane barge positioned 
alongside the bridge shall contact the bridge tender to request 
information concerning the position of the crane barge to ensure safe 
passage.
    Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position that require the crane barge to clear the main navigation span 
of the bridge, may do so at noon, daily, if at least two hours advance 
notice is given to the bridge tender. The bridge will open on signal 
for vessels that require an opening of the bridge and are unable to 
transit through the bridge during non-closure times due to draft and/or 
daylight restrictions, if notice is provided by 5 p.m. the day before 
the required bridge opening. 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: September 13, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-22300 Filed 9-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


