Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; modification.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge across the North Landing River, mile 20.2, at Chesapeake, VA. This modified deviation is necessary to perform emergency bridge repairs and provide for safe navigation. This modified deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 p.m. on June 30, 2016, through 6:00 p.m. on September 30, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0181] 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 757-398-6222, email Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 11, 2016, the Coast Guard published a temporary deviation entitled “Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, VA” in the Federal Register (81 FR 12824) and on April 8, 2016, the Coast Guard published a modified temporary deviation entitled “Drawbridge Operation Regulation; North Landing River, Chesapeake, VA” in the Federal Register (81 FR 20529). These documents were necessary to authorize a temporary deviation from the operating regulations to perform repairs to the south swing span of the bridge due to damage sustained as a result of a vessel allision with the bridge that occurred on March 1, 2016. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District Office, who owns and operates the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge, has requested a modified temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to perform repairs to the south swing span of the bridge, following completion of an ongoing roadway construction project on Elbow Road, Chesapeake, VA, in which the S165 (North Landing Road) Bridge is currently serving as a detour route. The modified temporary deviation request is necessary to provide for public safety and access during the roadway construction project.

The current operating scheduled is set out in 33 CFR 117.1021. Under this modified temporary deviation, the north span of the bridge will open-to-navigation on the hour and half hour, upon request, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on demand from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The north and south spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast, (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, and (3) at noon and 2 p.m. for two-way vessel traffic through the bridge, Monday through Friday. The north and south spans of the bridge will open to navigation concurrently, with the south span only opening partially due to damage, upon request, for: (1) Scheduled openings at 9:30 a.m. for vessels transiting southeast and (2) 10:30 a.m. for vessels transiting northwest, Saturday and Sunday. The horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south span closed-to-navigation is 38 feet and the horizontal clearance of the bridge with the south span partially open-to-navigation is 70 feet. The modified temporary deviation is necessary to relieve vessel congestion and provide for safe navigation on the waterway. The bridge is a double swing draw bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 6 feet above mean high water.

The North Landing River is used by a variety of vessels including small U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug and barge, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.

During the closure times there will be limited opportunity for vessels which are able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed position to do so. Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so, after receiving confirmation from the bridge tender that it is safe to transit through the bridge. The north span of the bridge will be able to open for emergencies. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their transit to minimize any impact caused by the modified 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.