
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21066]



[[Page 45729]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0927]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Hopewell, 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 156/Benjamin Harrison Memorial 
Bridge which carries SR 156 across the James River, mile 65.0, at 
Hopewell, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge 
maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from October 
2, 2017 through 5 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017. For the purposes 
of enforcement, actual notice will be used from 7 p.m. on Saturday, 
September 30, 2017, until October 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0927] 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6557, email Michael.R.Thorogood@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Virginia Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the SR 156/Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge that 
carries SR 156, across the James River, mile 65.0, at Hopewell, VA, has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to 
facilitate structural steel maintenance of the vertical lift span for 
the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 50 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 p.m. to 5 a.m., daily, all week, on 
Saturday, September 30, 2017, through Saturday, October 7, 2017.
    The James River is used by a variety of vessels including U.S. 
Government and public vessels, commercial vessels, tug and barge 
traffic, and 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 any time. The 
bridge will be able to open for emergencies and will open on signal 
during the closure period, if 30 minutes notice is given. 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: September 27, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-21066 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


