[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18113]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-96-043]


Temporary Deviation; Isle of Wight Bay Drawbridge, Ocean City, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Maryland Department of Transportation 
(MDOT), Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has approved a temporary 
deviation from the regulations that govern the operation of the Route 
50 drawbridge across Isle of Wight Bay, mile 0.5, located in Ocean 
City, Maryland. This temporary deviation will test the effects of 
restricted drawbridge openings for all vessels each Saturday between 
July 13 through August 31, 1996, between the hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
During these times, the bridge need open only on the hour, and must 
remain in the open position until all waiting vessels pass. All other 
provisions of the existing regulation for the Route 50 bridge remain 
the same. This test is intended to help the Coast Guard determine if a 
permanent change to the regulations would reduce motor vehicle traffic 
delays and congestion related to summer traffic entering and exiting 
the town of Ocean City, while still providing for the reasonable needs 
of navigation.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This deviation is effective from July 13 through 
August 31, 1996. Comments must be received before September 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed or delivered to Commander (Aowb), 
US Coast Guard Atlantic Area, 4th Floor Federal Bldg., 431 Crawford 
Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Ann B. Deaton, Bridge 
Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at 757-398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to comment on this 
temporary deviation by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this notice of temporary deviation (CGD05-96-043) and the 
specific section of this deviation 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 and electronic filing. 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 
envelop.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period when determining whether to propose a permanent change 
to the regulation.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Commander (Aowb) at the address under 
ADDRESSES. The request should include reasons why a hearing would be 
beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for oral 
presentations will aid any future proposed rulemaking, the Coast Guard 
will hold a public hearing at a time and place announced by a later 
notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has requested a 
deviation from the requirements of 33 CFR 117.559 to test the effects 
of reduced opening periods during which the Route 50 drawbridge opens 
for marine traffic on Saturday afternoons during the summer months. 
Section 117.559 requires the Isle of Wight Bay Route 50 bridge to open 
at 25 minutes and 55 minutes after the hour for a maximum of 5 minutes 
from 9:25 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. from May 25 through September 15. MDOT's 
request is based on a large number of vacationers traveling to and from 
Ocean City on Saturday afternoons during the tourist season (summer 
months). Vacationers check in and out of hotels on Ocean City Island 
every Saturday afternoon of the season. This creates a traffic surge of 
vehicles entering and exiting the island with only two highway bridges 
(Route 50 and Route 90) available for access. The Route 90 bridge is a 
fixed-span structure, and the Route 50 bridge is a drawbridge. Over 350 
charter boats historically pass through the Route 50 drawbridge on 
Saturdays from July 15 through September 15. This produces a dilemma to 
both waterway users and vehicular traffic trying to access the same 
drawbridge. MDOT proposes that, by providing only hourly openings on 
Saturday afternoons as opposed to the current half-hourly openings, 
vehicular traffic congestion on U.S. 50 will be reduced and highway 
safety will be increased. This test is intended to provide information 
needed to determine whether the Coast Guard should propose a permanent 
change to the regulation to better balance the needs of both waterway 
users and vehicular traffic.
    Based on the above information, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard 
District has approved a temporary deviation from the requirements of 33 
CFR 117.559 from July 13, 1996 through August 31, 1996. This temporary 
deviation will require the drawbridge to open only on the hour from 1 
p.m. to 5 p.m. for waiting vessels on each Saturday from July 13 
through August 31, 1996. When the bridge is opened, it will remain in 
the open position until all waiting vessels pass. The provisions of 33 
CFR 117.31 which provide for the passage on signal for Federal, State 
and local government vessels used for public safety; vessels in 
distress where a delay would endanger life or property; commercial 
vessels engaged in rescue or emergency salvage operations; and vessels 
seeking shelter from severe weather will remain unchanged.
    The terms of the approved temporary deviation are as follows:
    The draw of the US 50 bridge, mile 0.5, located in Ocean City, 
Maryland, shall open according to 117.559 except from July 13, 1996 
through August 31, 1996, on every Saturday, the bridge need open only 
on the hour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for any waiting vessels, and shall 
remain in the open position until all waiting vessels pass. Vessels in 
an emergency involving danger to life or property shall be passed at 
any time.
Kent H. Williams,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-18113 Filed 7-16-96; 8:45 am]
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