2015-26358. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; James River, Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the James River Bridge (US 17 and VA 258) across the James River, mile 5.0, between Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate work on electrical control and power wiring systems on the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on October 16, 2015, until 8 p.m. on October 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0948], 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. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Virginia Department of Transportation, who owns and operates the James River Bridge (US 17 and VA 258), has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to facilitate work on electrical control and power wiring systems on the bridge. The bridge is a vertical lift draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 60 feet above mean high water.

The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.5. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 a.m. on October 16, 2015 until 8 p.m. on October 19, 2015. The James River is used by a variety of vessels including deep draft ocean-going vessels, U. S. government vessels, small commercial fishing vessels, recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with U. S. government and commercial waterway users.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by this 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: October 13,2015.

Hal R. Pitts,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.