[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7536]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 30, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-94-005]

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; St. Johns River, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is hereby providing notice that the Florida 
Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been granted permission to 
temporarily deviate from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Main Street (US 17), mile 24.7, and the Fuller Warren (I10/I95), mile 
25.4, drawbridges over the St. Johns River, located in the City of 
Jacksonville from January 31, 1994, until April 29, 1994, for the 
purpose of evaluating the reasonableness of possible changes to the 
permanent regulations. This deviation allows the draws of both bridges 
to remain closed for longer periods during the morning and afternoon 
weekdays highway commuter periods. In addition, the Fuller Warren 
Bridge is allowed to open only once per hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 
weekdays except federal holidays. The draws shall open at any time for 
vessels in an emergency involving life or property, and the Fuller 
Warren Bridge shall open at any time for tugs with tows during the 9 
a.m. to 4 p.m. period of hourly opening restrictions. This 90 day test 
will determine whether the revised opening schedule will improve the 
flow of highway traffic without unreasonably impacting navigation.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The deviation is effective from Monday, January 31, 
1994, through Friday, April 29, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary D. Pruitt, Project Manager, Bridge Section, Office of Aids to 
Navigation and Waterways Management Branch; Address: Commander (oan), 
Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 SE 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-
3050; Telephone: (305) 536-4103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard granted a temporary 
deviation to the operating regulations for these two drawbridges owned 
and operated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) which 
extends the morning and afternoon weekday closed periods and limits 
weekday openings to once per hour. Due to the strong currents and 
difficult maneuvering characteristic, tugs with tows are exempted from 
the hourly opening restrictions. Both drawbridges will continue to open 
on demand at all other times. This revised schedule is intended to 
provide relief to land transportation needs while the Coast Guard 
considers a permanent change to these regulations.

Notice

    Notice is hereby given that:
    1. The Coast Guard has granted the Florida Department of 
Transportation a temporary deviation from the operating regulations 
outline in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.325 
governing the Main Street and the Fuller Warren Drawbridges, for the 
purpose of evaluating possible changes to the permanent regulations.
    2. This deviation from normal operating regulations is for the 
purpose of evaluating a possible change to the current regulations and 
is authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.43.
    3. Under this temporary deviation, the Main Street and the Fuller 
Warren drawbridges shall open on signal except that, from 7 a.m. to 9 
a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday except federal 
holidays, the draws need not be opened for the passage of vessels. The 
draw of the Fuller Warren Bridge need open only on the hour between the 
hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays except federal holidays. Due to 
the strong currents and difficult maneuvering characteristic, tugs with 
tows are exempted from the midday hourly opening restrictions at the 
Fuller Warren Bridge. The draws of both bridges shall open at any time 
for vessels in an emergency involving life or property.
    4. When the 90 day test is completed, the results will be compared 
to the existing regulations to determine which operating schedule best 
meets the needs of navigation, and helps reduce the vehicular traffic 
delays.
    5. This period of deviation is effective from Monday, January 31, 
1994, through Friday, April 29, 1994.

    Dated: February 18, 1994.
W.P. Leahy,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 94-7536 Filed 3-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M