[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36163-36164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17386]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-01-052]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Florida East Coast Railroad 
Bridge, St. Johns River, Jacksonville, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge across the St. Johns River, mile 
24.9, Jacksonville, Florida. This test deviation removes the automated 
tender and requires the bridge owner or operator to post a live bridge-
tender (Control Operator) to control the bridge openings. This test 
period will begin at 8 a.m., on August 2, 2001 and terminate at 4 p.m., 
August 31, 2001. The test data will be compiled utilizing bridge logs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m., August 2, 2001 to 4 
p.m., August 31, 2001. Comments must be received by September 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 S.E. 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 
33131. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents

[[Page 36164]]

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 S.E. 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 Federal East Coast Railroad Bridge 
across the St. Johns River at Jacksonville, is a single leaf bridge 
with a vertical clearance of 9 feet above mean high water (MHW) 
measured at the fenders in the closed position with a horizontal 
clearance of 195 feet. The current operating regulation in 33 CFR 
117.325(c) allows the draw to operate as an automated railroad bridge.
    On May 1, 2001, the drawbridge owner requested a deviation from the 
current operating regulations to allow the owner to conduct a study to 
determine if the removal of the automation of this bridge will improve 
navigational safety for vessels, and increase efficiency of rail 
traffic.
    The District Commander has granted a temporary deviation from the 
operating requirements listed in 33 CFR 117.325(c) for the purpose of 
conducting this study. Under this deviation, the Florida East Coast 
Railroad Bridge shall open on signal and a radiotelephone shall be 
maintained at the bridge for safety of navigation. The draw will close 
when a train approaches and remain closed for the passage of the train 
for a period of not more than sixteen minutes. The draw may be allowed 
to remain in the last used position until the next passage of a vessel 
or train. The deviation is effective from 8 a.m., August 2, 2001, to 4 
p.m., August 31, 2001.

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking of the test 
schedule by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, 
please include your name and address, identify the docket number for 
this deviation [CGD07-01-052], 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. The comment period will 
end on September 30, 2001.

    Dated: July 2, 2001.
Greg E. Shapley,
Chief, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-17386 Filed 7-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P