[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3461-3462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1576]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD7-96-069]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; St. Johns River, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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[[Page 3462]]

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 
Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the St. Johns 
River, located in the City of Jacksonville from Friday November 8, 
1996, through Friday, February 7, 1997, for the purpose of evaluating 
the reasonableness of possible changes to the permanent regulations. 
This deviation authorizes the draws of the Fuller Warren Bridge to 
remain closed for longer periods during the morning and afternoon 
weekday 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. This test will help determine whether the 
revised opening schedule will improve the flow of highway traffic 
without unreasonably impacting navigation.

DATES: The deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through 
February 7, 1997. Comments must be received on or before February 7, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast 
Guard District, 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 9 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. Gary D. Pruitt, Project Officer, 
Seventh Coast Guard District, Aids to Navigation, at (305) 536-7331.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the 
Fuller Warren Drawbridge operated by the State of Florida by submitting 
written data, view or arguments to the address above. Persons 
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify 
this notice [CGD7-96-069] and give the specific provision to which each 
comment applies, 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 operating schedule. 
Persons may submit comments by writing to the Commander Seventh Coast 
Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

    The Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the 
St. Johns River, located in the City of Jacksonville, Florida has a 
vertical clearance, in the closed position, of 44 feet above mean high 
water and 45 feet above mean low water (MLW). On November 6, 1996 FDOT 
requested a deviation from the current operating schedule in 33 CFR 
117.325 in order to reduce the number of drawbridge openings that would 
impact the heavy volumes of highway traffic being experienced on I95. 
The traffic volume has doubled on this interstate highway system since 
1991, reducing the Level of Service (LOS) to LOS E during weekdays. 
This temporary deviation to the operating regulations for the Fuller 
Warren Drawbridge, owned and operated by the FDOT, increases the 
morning and afternoon closed periods and authorizes hourly openings 
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. This deviation is intended to reduce 
highway delays. However, due to strong river currents and difficult 
maneuvering characteristics, tugs with tows are exempted from these 
restrictions. Other vessels using this reach of the St. Johns River 
have adequate maneuvering room to wait the hourly openings and should 
not be unreasonably impacted by this deviation.
    The Coast Guard has granted the Florida Department of 
Transportation a temporary deviation from the operating regulations 
outlined in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.325 
governing the Fuller Warren Drawbridge located across the St. Johns 
River. This deviation from normal operating regulations is authorized 
in accordance with the provisions of Title 33, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Sec. 117.43 for the purpose of evaluating a possible 
change to the permanent regulations. Under this deviation, the Fuller 
Warren Drawbridge operated by the FDOT shall open on signal; except 
that, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays from 7 a.m. to 6 
p.m. the draw need not open except on the hour. However, the draw need 
not open between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday 
through Friday except Federal holidays. Tugs with tows shall be passed 
at any time except during the authorized weekday closures from 7 a.m. 
to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The bridge shall open at any time 
for vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or 
property.
    This period of deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through 
February 7, 1997.

    Dated: December 27, 1996.
R.C. Olsen, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 97-1576 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
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