[Federal Register: March 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 52)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12541-12542]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17mr04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD01-04-020]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Hackensack River, NJ
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the
Newburyport US1 Bridge, mile 3.4, across the Merrimack River between
Newburyport and Salisbury, Massachusetts. Under this temporary
deviation the bridge need operate only one bascule leaf for bridge
openings from March 15, 2004 through April 2, 2004. The southeast
bascule leaf may remain in the closed position to navigation. This
temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency structural
repairs at the bridge.
DATES: This deviation is effective from March 15, 2004 through April 2,
2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McDonald, Project Officer, First
Coast Guard District, at (617) 223-8364.
[[Page 12542]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Newburyport US1 Bridge has a vertical
clearance in the closed position of 35 feet at mean high water and 42
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations
are listed at 33 CFR 117.605(a).
The bridge owner, Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), requested
a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to
facilitate emergency structural maintenance, the replacement of the
concrete filled grid deck on the southeast bascule leaf, at the bridge.
The southeast bascule leaf must remain in the closed position to
perform these repairs. The north bascule leaf will open fully for the
passage of vessel traffic during these repairs.
The Newburyport US1 Bridge has not received any requests to open
during the month of March for the past seven years.
The bridge owner did not provide the required thirty-day notice to
the Coast Guard for this deviation; however, this deviation was
approved because the repairs are necessary repairs that must be
performed with undue delay in order to assure the continued safe
reliable operation of the bridge.
Under this temporary deviation the Newburyport US1 Bridge may keep
the southeast bascule leaf in the closed position from March 15, 2004
through April 2, 2004. The north bascule leaf will continue to open for
the passage of vessel traffic according to the existing drawbridge
operation regulations which require a one-hour advance notice by
calling the number posted at the bridge.
This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under
33 CFR 117.35(b), and will be performed with all due speed in order to
return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible.
Dated: March 5, 2004.
Vivien S. Crea,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 04-6032 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
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