2018-20067. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; James River, Isle of Wight and Newport News, 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 US 17/US 258/SR 32/James River Bridge, which carries US 17, US 258, and SR 32, across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES:

The deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 26, 2018, through 12:01 a.m. on September 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0761 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Virginia Department of Transportation, owner and operator of the U.S. 17/U.S. 258/SR 32/James River Bridge which carries U.S. 17, U.S. 258, SR 32, across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to facilitate replacement of a rotary cam limit switch in the span drive system of the vertical lift span of the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 60 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 a.m. on September 26, 2018, through 12:01 a.m. on September 28, 2018.

The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep draft ocean-going vessels, U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug and barge traffic, and recreational vessels. 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 any time. The bridge will not 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 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 11, 2018.

Hal R. Pitts,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.