2017-26072. 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/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 [phone], email [e-mail].

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 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.