[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9660-9661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3373]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-01-005]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Sanibel Causeway Bridge

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Sanibel Causeway Bridge (SR 869) across San Carlos Bay, mile 151, Punta 
Rassa, Florida. This deviation will change the drawbridge operation 
schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is 
needed. This deviation extends the scheduled bridge openings each day 
by four hours and also changes the period of the openings from every 15 
minutes to every 30 minutes, from March 1, 2001 to April 30, 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This deviation is effective from March 1, 2001, to 
April 30, 2001. Comments must be received by May 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(obr), Seventh Coast Guard Guard District, 909 SE. 1st Avenue, Miami, 
FL 33131. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at Commander (obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 SE., 1st 
Avenue, Miami, FL 33131 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Barry Dragon, Chief, Operations 
Section, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Section at (305) 415-
6743.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Sanibel Causeway Bridge across San 
Carlos Bay at Punta Rassa, is a double leaf bridge with a vertical 
clearance of 26 feet above mean high water (MHW) measured at the 
fenders in the closed position with a horizontal clearance of 90 feet. 
The current operating regulation in 33 FR 117.317(j) requires the 
bridge to open on signal; except that from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the draw 
need open only on the hour, quarter hour, half hour, and three quarter 
hour. From 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. the draw will open on signal if at least a 
five-minute advance notice is given.
    On November 28, 2000, the drawbridge owner requested a deviation 
from the current operating regulations to allow the owner to conduct a 
study of the bridge openings and vehicular traffic patterns which are 
exacerbated during the winter tourist season. The temporary schedule 
will require the bridge to open on signal; except that from 7 a.m. to 6 
p.m., the draw need open only on the hour and half-hour. The five-
minute notice from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will remain in effect.
    The District Commander has granted a temporary deviation from the 
operating requirements listed in 33 CFR 117.317(j) for the purpose of 
conducting this study. Under this deviation, the Sanibel Causeway 
Bridge need only open on the hour and half hour, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., from 
March 1, 2001 until April 30, 2001. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the draw 
will open on signal if at least a five-minute advance notice is given. 
The deviation is effective from March 1, 2001 to April 30, 2001.

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this evaluation of the test 
schedule by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, 
please include your name and address, identify the

[[Page 9661]]

docket number for this deviation [CGD07-01-005], indicate the specific 
section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the 
reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related 
material in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, 
suitable for copying. If you would like to know if they reached us, 
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will 
consider all comments and material received during the comment period.

    Dated: February 1, 2001.
Greg E. Shapley,
Chief, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-3373 Filed 2-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M