[Federal Register: January 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 7)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1288]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja07-14]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD01-07-006]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Acushnet River, New Bedford and
Fairhaven, MA
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 regulation governing the operation of the
Route 6 highway bridge across the Acushnet River, mile 0.0, between New
Bedford and Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation a
30-minute advance notice for bridge openings shall be required between
7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from January 8, 2007 through
February 2, 2007. This deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency
bridge fender repairs.
DATES: This deviation is effective from January 8, 2007 through
February 2, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for
inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch
Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, between 7
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
telephone number is (617) 223-8364. The First Coast Guard District
Bridge Branch Office maintains the public docket for this temporary
deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McDonald, Project Officer, First
Coast Guard District, at (617) 223-8364.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Route 6 highway bridge, across the
Acushnet River, mile 0.0, between New Bedford and Fairhaven,
Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8
feet at mean high water and 12 feet at mean low water. The existing
drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.585.
The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Highway Department,
requested a temporary deviation to facilitate emergency bridge
protective fender repairs. The bridge fender system on the east channel
was recently damaged by a vessel allision. The damaged fender system
must be repaired as soon as possible in the interest of navigational
safety.
Under this temporary deviation the Route 6 highway bridge shall
require at least a 30-minute advance notice for bridge openings between
7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from January 8, 2007 through
February 2, 2007.
The bridge will continue to open in accordance with the normal
operating schedule which requires the bridge to open on the hour
between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and at a quarter past the hour between 11:15
a.m. and 6:15 p.m. However, in order to perform necessary bridge
repairs, a 30 minute advance notice for such openings is required
between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays from January 8
through February 2, 2007.
During this period the bridge shall open at any time for vessels
whose draft exceeds 15 feet. However, such vessels must also provide 30
minute advance notice.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, this work will be performed with
all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon
as possible.
Should the bridge maintenance authorized by this temporary
deviation be completed before the end of the effective period published
in this notice, the Coast Guard will rescind the remainder of this
temporary deviation, and the bridge shall be returned to its normal
operating schedule. Notice of the above action shall be provided to the
public in the Local Notice to Mariners and the Federal Register, where
practicable.
This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under
33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: January 3, 2007.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E7-240 Filed 1-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P