[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-98-018]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Stony Creek, Maryland

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 regulation governing the operation of the 
S173 Bridge across Stony Creek at mile 0.9, in Riviera, Maryland. 
Beginning March 2 through May 1, 1998, this deviation allows the bridge 
to remain closed to navigation between the hours of 8 p.m. to 6:30 
a.m., Monday through Friday excluding Federal and State holidays. This 
closure is necessary to facilitate extensive cleaning and painting 
operations while still providing for the reasonable needs of 
navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on March 2, 1998 until 
6:30 a.m. on May 1, 1998.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The S173 Bridge is owned and operated by the 
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Alpha Painting & 
Construction Company, Inc., MDOT's contractor, requested a temporary 
deviation from the normal operation of the bridge to implement 
extensive cleaning and painting operations. The current regulation at 
Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 117.573 requires the 
draw to open on signal with the following exceptions: (a) from 6:30 
a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 
except Federal and State holidays, the draw need only open at 7:30 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., if any vessels are waiting to pass; (b) From 11 a.m. to 7 
p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, the draw need only 
open on the hour and half hour; and (c) all public vessels of the 
United States and vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or 
property shall be passed at any time.
    The work entails the sandblasting and cleaning of the bridge. 
Sandblasting will immobilize operation of the drawbridge due to the 
installation of an encapsulation shield with scaffolding during the 
closed period. On weekends, holidays, and during all other hours, the 
bridge will operate in accordance with the current regulations.
    Discussions with MDOT concerning the S173 Bridge logs revealed that 
recreational vessel nighttime transits through this bridge for 1996 and 
1997 from March through May caused an average of 12 openings per week, 
excluding weekends. MDOT's advance publication of the closure in local 
newspapers, along with the Coast Guard's Local Notice to Mariners, will 
reduce this temporary deviation's negative impact on transiting 
vessels.
    Beginning March 2 through May 1, 1998, this deviation allows the 
S173 Bridge to remain closed to navigation between the hours of 8 p.m. 
to 6:30 a.m.; Monday through Friday excluding Federal and State 
holidays.

    Dated: March 18, 1998.
J. Carmichael,
Acting Captain,
U.S. Coast Guard Commander,
Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-7913 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]
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