[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23018]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-93-086]
RIN 2115-AE47

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Sarasota, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning 
Organization (MPO) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), 
(the bridge owner), the Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations 
governing the Siesta Key Drawbridge on SR758, Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway mile 71.6, across Roberts Bay at Sarasota, Sarasota County, 
Florida. This change is intended to relieve highway congestion while 
still meeting the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast 
Guard District, 909 SE. 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33131-3050, or be may be 
delivered to Room 406 at the above address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For information 
concerning comments the telephone number is 305-536-4103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ian L. MacCartney, Project Manager, Bridge Section, at (305) 536-5646.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this rulemaking [CGD7-93-086] and the specific section of this 
proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and attachments be 
submitted in an unbound format suitable for copying. If not practical, 
a second copy of any bound material is requested. Persons wanting 
acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to Mr. Ian MacCartney under ADDRESSES. The 
request should include reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. If it 
determines that the opportunity for oral presentations will aid this 
rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a public hearing at a time and 
place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mr. 
Ian L. MacCartney, Project Manager, and LT. J.M. Losego, Project 
Counsel.

Background and Purpose

    This drawbridge presently opens on signal except that from 11 a.m. 
to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, the draw opens only on the hour, 
quarter-hour, half-hour and three quarter-hour. The MPO and FDOT 
requested that the bridge open only on the hour and half-hour during 
certain periods of each day to help reduce traffic delays, particularly 
during morning and afternoon commuter hours and on busy weekends. A 
comparison of highway traffic volumes between 1985 and 1993 indicated 
there has been an overall increase in traffic volume with current 
levels exceeding highway capacity (LOS F--parking lot conditions) on 
weekday afternoons during the winter season without any bridge 
openings. The number of bridge openings continue to average less than 
two per hour with a maximum of 4 openings per hour being experienced 
periodically during the winter season. Based on analysis of the highway 
traffic and bridge opening data provided by FDOT on June 28, 1993, the 
Coast Guard determined that most of the weekday delays were caused by 
back to back bridge openings which did not allow accumulated vehicle 
traffic to clear before the next opening.
    We concluded that a 30 minute opening schedule was not warranted, 
but, as a compromise, tested a 20 minute opening schedule which would 
limit openings to 3 times per hour daily, year around. This test was 
conducted from January 1, 1994, to February 23, 1994. The results 
demonstrated that strong cross winds, heavy currents and shallow water 
adjacent to the channel near the bridge create holding conditions for 
northbound vessels that could become unsafe for navigation if the 
opening schedule is extended to 30 minutes. A daily 20 minute schedule 
would help reduce traffic delays without significantly increasing the 
danger to vessels caused by the potentially unsafe holding conditions.

Discussion of Proposed Amendments

    The proposed change would limit the maximum number of openings to 3 
per hour with a 20 minute opening schedule. Since the highway traffic 
data shows roadway congestion starts to increase in mid morning, the 
regulated period will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This change 
should reduce traffic delays without unreasonably impacting navigation.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It 
has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget 
under that order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; 
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this 
proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT (44 FR 
11040; February 26, 1979) is unnecessary. We conclude this because the 
rule exempts tugs with tows.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal, if adopted, will have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' include independently owned and operated 
small businesses that are not dominant in their field and that 
otherwise qualify as ``small business concerns'' under section 3 of the 
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632). Because it expects the impact of 
this proposal to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under section 
605(b) that this proposal, if adopted, will not have a significant 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This rule contains no collection of information requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposal under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has determined that 
this proposal does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and concluded that, under section 2.B.2.g.(5) of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, promulgation of operating requirements or 
procedures for drawbridges is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is 
available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under 
addresses.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR Part 117 as follows:

PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for Part 117 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g).

    2. In section 117.287, paragraph (b-1) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 117.287  Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

* * * * *
    (b-1) The draw of the Siesta Key bridge, mile 71.6 at Sarasota, 
shall open on signal, except that, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the 
draw need open only on the hour, 20 minutes past the hour, and 40 
minutes past the hour.
* * * * *
    Dated: September 1, 1994.
W.P. Leahy,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 94-23018 Filed 9-15-94; 8:45 am]
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