
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 144 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35094-35095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15920]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0485]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lewis Creek Channel, 
Chincoteague, 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 SR 175 Bridge, mile 0.0 across the 
Lewis Creek Channel, at Chincoteague, VA. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate 
bridge maintenance work.

DATES: The deviation is effective from Noon, on September 20, 2017, 
through 6 p.m. on September 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0485] 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 Virginia Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the SR 175 Bridge, mile 0.0 across the Lewis 
Creek Channel, at Chincoteague, VA, has requested a temporary deviation 
from the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.5, to 
perform maintenance on the movable span.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from Noon on September 20, 2017, through 
6 p.m. on September 21, 2017. The bridge is a bascule span drawbridge 
with a vertical clearance of 15 feet above mean high water in the 
closed-to-navigation position and unlimited vertical clearance in the 
open position.
    The Lewis Creek Channel is used by recreational 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-to-navigation 
position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels 
unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position while 
maintenance is being performed. 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

[[Page 35095]]

end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation 
from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: July 24, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-15920 Filed 7-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


