[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23361-23362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10695]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0405]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Wrightsville Beach, NC and Northeast Cape Fear River, 
Wilmington, NC

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 schedules that govern the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) Bridge 
across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), mile 283.1, at 
Wrightsville Beach, NC, and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across the 
Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the free movement of pedestrians and 
vehicles during the 11th Annual Ironman Triathlon. This deviation 
allows these bridges to remain in their closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 
13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0405], 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 Ms. Kashanda Booker, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-
6227, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon 
Committee, with approval from the North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, owner and operator of the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) 
Bridge and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, has requested a temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulations to accommodate the 
free movement of pedestrians and vehicles during the 11th Annual 
Ironman Triathlon. The two bridges are both double bascule bridges and 
have vertical clearances in the closed position of 20 feet and 40 feet, 
respectively, above mean high water.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a)(4) 
and 33 CFR 117.829(a), respectively. Under this

[[Page 23362]]

temporary deviation, the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) Bridge will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 6:30 a.m. to 10 
a.m. on October 13, 2018, and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge will also be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 7:30 a.m. to 3 
p.m. on October 13, 2018. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is used by 
a variety of vessels including small commercial fishing vessels and 
recreational vessels. The Northeast Cape Fear River is used by a 
variety of vessels including small commercial fishing vessels, 
recreational vessels, and tug and barge traffic. 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 these bridges in their closed 
positions may do so at any time. These bridges will be able to open for 
emergencies and there are no immediate alternative routes for vessels 
unable to pass through the bridges in their closed positions. The Coast 
Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedules for 
these bridges 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), these drawbridges must return 
to their regular operating schedules immediately at the end of the 
effective periods of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the 
operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: May 15, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-10695 Filed 5-18-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


