Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, South Branch of the Elizabeth River to the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal

(a) The draw of the Belt Line Railroad Bridge, mile 2.6, in Portsmouth and Chesapeake will operate as follows:(1) The bridge will be left in the open position at all times and will only be lowered for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part.(2) The bridge will be operated by the controller at the Berkley Yard office.(3) The controller will monitor waterway traffic in the area of the bridge and directly beneath the bridge with closed circuit cameras mounted on top of the bridge and with surface navigational radar.(4) When the bridge closes for any reason, the controller will announce 30 minutes in advance, 15 minutes in advance, and immediately proceeding the actual lowering, over marine channel 13, that the Belt Line Railroad Bridge is closing for river traffic. In each of these three announcements, the bridge/train controller will request all concerned river traffic to please acknowledge on marine channel 13.(5) The bridge shall only be operated from the remote site if closed circuit visual and radar information shows there are no vessels in the area and no opposing radio communications have been received.(6) While the Belt Line Bridge is moving from the full open position to the full closed position, the bridge/train controller will maintain constant surveillance of the navigational channel to ensure no conflict with maritime traffic exists. In the event of failure of a camera or the radar system, or loss of marine-radio communications, the bridge shall not be operated by the off-site bridge/train controller from the remote location.(7) If the off-site bridge/train controller's visibility of the navigational channel is less than 3/4 of a mile, the bridge shall not be operated from the remote location.(8) When the draw cannot be operated from the remote site, a bridge tender must be called to operate the bridge in the traditional on-site manner.(9) The Belt Line mid-channel lights will change from green to red anytime the bridge is not in the full open position.(10) During the downward and upward span movement, a warning alarm will sound until the bridge is seated and locked down or in the full open position.(11) When the bridge has returned to its full up position, the mid-channel light will turn from red to green, and the controller will announce over marine radio channel 13, "Security, security, security, the Belt Line bridge is open for river traffic.'' Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day on marine channel 13 and via telephone (757) 543-1996 or (757) 545-2941.(b) The draw of the Jordan (S337) bridge, mile 2.8, in Chesapeake:(1) Shall open on signal at any time for public vessels of the United States, vessels in distress, commercial vessels carrying liquefied flammable gas or other harmful substances, and commercial and/or public vessels assisting in any emergency situation.(2) From 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:(i) Need not open for the passage of pleasure craft or commercial vessels that do not qualify under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.(ii) Need not open for commercial cargo vessels, including tugs and tows, unless 2 hours advance notice has been given to the Jordan Bridge Office at (757) 545-4695.(3) Shall open on signal at all other times.(c) The draw of the Norfolk and Western railroad bridge across the South Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 3.6 at Portsmouth-Chesapeake, shall be maintained in the open position; except the draw may close for the crossing of trains and maintenance of the bridge. When the draw is closed, a drawtender shall be present and the draw shall open on signal.

(d) The draw of the Gilmerton (US13/460) bridge, mile 5.8, in Chesapeake:(1) Shall open on signal at any time for public vessels of the United States, vessels in distress, commercial vessels carrying liquefied flammable gas or other harmful substances, and commercial and/or public vessels assisting in any emergency situation.(2) From 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays the bridge:(i) Need not open for the passage of pleasure craft or commercial vessels that do not qualify under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section.(ii) Need not open for commercial cargo vessels, including tugs, and tugs with tows, unless 2 hours advance notice has been given to the Gilmerton Bridge at (757) 545-1512.(3) Shall open on signal at all other times.(e) The draw of the I64 bridge across the South Branch of the Elizabeth River, mile 7.1 at Chesapeake, shall open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given.

(f) The draw of the Dominion Boulevard Bridge, mile 8.8, in Chesapeake shall open on signal, except:(1) From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the drawbridge need not open for the passage of recreational vessels.(2) Vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or property shall be passed at any time.(g) The draw of the S168 bridge, mile 12 at Chesapeake (Great Bridge), shall open on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw need be opened only on the hour. If any vessel is approaching the bridge and cannot reach the draw exactly on the hour, the drawtender may delay the hourly opening up to 10 minutes past the hour for the passage of the approaching vessel and any other vessels that are waiting to pass. Vessels in an emergency condition which presents danger to life or property shall be passed at any time.

(h) The draw of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Railroad bridge, mile 13.9, in Chesapeake, Virginia, shall be maintained in the open position; the draw may close only for the crossing of trains and maintenance of the bridge. When the draw is closed, a bridge tender shall be present to reopen the draw after the train has cleared the bridge.

(i) The draw of the Centerville Turnpike (SR 170) bridge across the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, mile 15.2, at Chesapeake, shall open on signal; except that, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw need only be opened on the hour and half-hour, seven days a week year-around, for the passage of pleasure craft. Public vessels of the United States, commercial vessels, and vessels in an emergency condition which present danger to life or property shall be passed at any time. 

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