[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 119 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13879]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[USCG-2008-0477]
RIN 1625-AA-09
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Intracoastal Waterway (ICW);
Beach Thorofare, NJ
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the
Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74, across Beach Thorofare at Margate, New
Jersey. The deviation is necessary to sandblast, paint and make repairs
to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to provide partial
vessel openings.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 1, 2008, to
11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0477 and are available online
at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection
or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and
the Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District, Federal Building, 1st
Floor, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004 between 8 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Sandra S. Elliott, Bridge
Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6557.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subcontractor on behalf of the Margate
Bridge Company, who owns and operates this double-leaf bascule
drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from the current
operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.5 that requires the bridge
to open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to
open is given.
Margate Bridge, located at ICW mile 74, across Beach Thorofare at
Margate, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position to
vessels of 14 feet above mean high water (MHW).
The Coast Guard reviewed the 2007 bridge logs provided by the
Margate Bridge Company. The logs recorded approximately 79 vessel
openings granted in October, 34 vessel openings granted in November and
4 vessel openings granted in December of last year.
Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will provide partial
openings of the lift spans for vessels. The maintenance and repairs
require immobilizing half of the draw span to single-leaf operation
each day, beginning 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, until and
including 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2008, with a work barge
occupying one-half of the 58-foot wide channel under the bridge, so
passage through the bridge will be limited to a 29-foot width for the
duration of the project. The opposite connecting span while not under
repair will continue to open for vessels if at least a half-hour
advance notice is given to the bridge tender at (609) 822-9175 or via
marine radio on channel 13 VHF. Mariners requiring the full opening of
the lift spans or the full width of the channel under the bridge will
be directed to use the Atlantic Ocean as the alternate route between
Absecon and Great Egg Harbor Inlets.
The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the partial openings of the
draw span to minimize transiting delays caused by the 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 designated
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: June 11, 2008.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-13879 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
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