[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13097-13098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7171]



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[[Page 13098]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-96-010]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from regulations and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Coast Guard issuing a 
temporary deviation to the regulations governing the J.D. Butler 
(Hillsboro Boulevard, State Road 810) drawbridge, mile 1050.0, at 
Deerfield Beach, from March 1, 1996 through May 30, 1996. This 
deviation authorizes the bridge owner to open the draw on signal, 
except that, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the draw 
need open only on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and forty 
minutes after the hour; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through 
Sunday and federal holidays, the draw need open only on the hour and 
half-hour. The purpose of this temporary change in opening schedule 
from Friday through Sunday and federal holidays is to test the 
feasibility of establishing a permanent change to the seasonal opening 
restrictions to reduce severe vehicular traffic congestion without 
unreasonably impacting navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from March 1, 1996 through May 30, 
1996, unless sooner terminated. Comments on the alternate schedule must 
be received on or before May 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast 
Guard District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, Room 406, 909 SE. 1st 
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. The comments and other materials 
referenced in this notice will be available for inspection and copying 
at the above address. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also 
be hand-delivered to the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Brodie Rich, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard 
District, at 305-536-5117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the 
J.D. Butler Drawbridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway by 
submitting written data, or arguments for or against this deviation. 
Persons submitting comments should include their name, address, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD07-96-010) and give the reason for each 
comment. 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 and determine whether to initiate a rulemaking to 
propose a permanent change to the drawbridge operation schedule. 
Persons may submit comments by writing to the Commander (oan), Seventh 
Coast Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

    The City of Deerfield Beach has requested a change from the current 
seasonal operating schedule in Title 33 CFR 117.261(bb) to a year-round 
hour and half-hour opening schedule. A Coast Guard analysis of highway 
traffic and bridge opening data provided by the Florida Department of 
Transportation which was completed on May 8, 1995, indicated the heavy 
traffic congestion is limited to weekends during the winter tourist 
season. This deviation will allow a test of the proposed hour and half-
hour opening schedule during the heaviest highway and waterway traffic 
periods. If the test reduces highway traffic congestion without 
unreasonably impacting navigation, the Coast Guard plans to publish a 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which will request comments on a 
permanent change to the regulations.
    Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in 
a situation where a delay would endanger life or property shall, upon 
proper signal, be passed through the draw at any time.
    This deviation from normal operating regulations (33 CFR 117.5) is 
authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 33 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.43.

    Dated: March 7, 1996.
P.J. Cardaci,
Captain U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, 
Acting.
[FR Doc. 96-7171 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]
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