[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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