[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2982]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-98-001]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AICW), mile 240.7, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Beginning at 7 
a.m. on February 2, through 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998, the bridge will 
be maintained in the closed position. This closure is necessary to 
facilitate extensive repairs and maintain the bridge's operational 
integrity.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on February 2, 1998, 
until 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Onslow Beach Swing Bridge and adjoining 
property are part of the Marine Corps Base (USMC) at Camp Lejeune 
military reservation, located adjacent to Jacksonville, North Carolina. 
On December 11, 1997, a letter was forwarded to the Coast Guard by the 
USMC requesting a temporary deviation from the normal operation of the 
bridge. The current regulations in Title 33 Code of Federal 
Regulations, Section 117.5, require the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge to 
open on signal at all times.
    The USMC has hired contractors to replace the submarine cable at 
the bridge that was unintentionally cut in May 1997, and to make 
various additional repairs to eliminate mechanical and operational 
problems the bridge has experienced since January 1997. The bridge 
repairs will immobilize operation of the swing bridge entirely, 
including the backup system which uses hydraulic components typically 
used when the electrical systems are non-operational. Additionally, tug 
boats, cranes, and barges positioned at the site may impede vessel 
traffic that could pass under the bridge.
    In the winter months, the AICW is primarily used by commercial 
light-draft vessels and tows unable to navigate long stretches in the 
open ocean. Based on bridge logs from 1993 through 1997 for the month 
of February, the bridge averaged approximately five openings per day 
for vessels. The USMC will provide wide dissemination of notification 
to the public, and the Coast Guard has informed the known commercial 
users of the AICW of the bridge closure so that these vessels can 
arrange their transits to avoid being negatively impacted by the 
temporary deviation.
    From 7 a.m. on February 2, until 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998, this 
deviation allows the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the AICW to 
remain closed.

    Dated: January 16, 1998.
J. Carmichael,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 98-2982 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
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