
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 233 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 87454-87455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29049]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1007]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal), Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S168 (Battlefield Blvd. S/SR 168 
BUS) Bridge across the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake (Great Bridge), VA. The 
deviation is necessary to accommodate the 32nd Annual Chesapeake Rotary 
Christmas Parade. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

[[Page 87455]]


DATES: The deviation is effective from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., 
December 3, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-1007] 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. Martin Bridges, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6422, email Martin.A.Bridges@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The City of Chesapeake, who owns the S168 
(Battlefield Blvd. S/SR 168 BUS) Bridge across the Albemarle & 
Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake 
(Great Bridge), VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.997(g) to 
facilitate the 32nd Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 8:00 
p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on December 3, 2016. The closure has been requested 
to ensure the safety of the increased volume of cars and spectators 
that will be participating in the 32nd Annual Chesapeake Rotary 
Christmas Parade. The bridge is a single bascule bridge and has a 
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position of 8 feet above 
mean high water.
    The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal) 
is used by a variety of vessels including recreational, tug and barge, 
fishing vessels, and small commercial vessels. The Coast Guard has 
carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the 
waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed- position may 
do so at any time. The bridge will open in case of an emergency and 
there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. 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.

    Dated: November 29, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-29049 Filed 12-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


