[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 230 (Friday, December 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56886-56887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26072]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0995]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, 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 S168/Great Bridge bridge, which 
carries SR168 (Battlefield Boulevard South) over the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 
12.0, at Chesapeake, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the 
Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday, 
December 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0995] 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 [email protected].

SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Chesapeake, owner and operator of 
the S168/Great Bridge bridge that carries SR 168/Battlefield Boulevard 
South over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), Albemarle and 
Chesapeake Canal, mile 12.0, at Chesapeake, VA, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to ensure 
the safety of the increased volumes of spectators that will be 
participating in the Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade on 
Saturday, December 2, 2017. This bridge is a double bascule drawbridge, 
with a vertical clearance of 8 feet above mean high water in the closed 
position and unlimited vertical clearance in the open position.
    The current operating regulation is set out in 33 CFR 117.997(g). 
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 
10 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
    The AICW, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, is used by a variety of 
vessels including 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 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 be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels 
unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and 
Broadcast

[[Page 56887]]

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 28, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-26072 Filed 11-29-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


