[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 20 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 4576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2023]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-00-002]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Newtown Creek, Dutch Kills, 
English Kills and Their Tributaries, NY

AGENCY:  Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY:  The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the 
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, mile 1.3, across the Newtown Creek in New 
York City. This deviation allows the bridge owner to keep the bridge in 
the closed position from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., on January 23, 2000, and 
January 30, 2000. This action is necessary to facilitate necessary 
repairs to the bridge lift motors.

DATES:  This deviation is effective on January 23, 2000, and January 
30, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Joseph Schmied, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, at (212) 668-7195.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, mile 1.3, 
across the Newtown Creek, has a vertical clearance of 26 feet at mean 
high water, and 31 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The 
existing operating regulations in 33 CFR 117.801(a)(4) require the 
bridge to open on signal at all times.
    The bridge owner, the New York City Department of Transportation, 
notified the Coast Guard on December 10, 1999, that the bridge lift 
motors may fail to operate if immediate repairs were not implemented. 
The approval to proceed with the repairs was delayed because of the 
potential New York City Transit strike which was expected to occur on 
December 15, 1999. The New York City Transit work stoppage was avoided 
and as a result, the bridge owner has again requested a two-day closure 
to repair the bridge lift motors. The repairs are scheduled to be 
performed on two consecutive Sundays in late January. This decision was 
made because most of the commercial operators that use this waterway 
usually do not operate on Sundays resulting in few requests to open the 
bridge during that time period.
    This deviation to the operating regulations allows the bridge owner 
to keep the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge in the closed position from 6 a.m. 
to 6:30 p.m., on January 23, 2000, and January 30, 2000.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed 
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as 
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 19, 2000.
R.M. Larrabee,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 00-2023 Filed 1-28-00; 8:45 am]
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