[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20441-20442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10177]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-02-032]


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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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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 deviation allows the bridge to remain 
closed to navigation from 12:01 a.m. on April 22 until 6 p.m. on April 
26, 2002, and from 12:01 a.m. on April 29 until 6 p.m. on May 3, 2002, 
for emergency repairs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on April 22 until 6 
p.m. on May 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: 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 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 Branch at (305) 415-6743.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge 
across the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, Florida, is a single leaf 
bascule 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) requires that the bridge be constantly tended and 
have a mechanical override capability for the automated operation. A 
radiotelephone must be maintained at the bridge for the safety of 
navigation. The draw is normally in the fully open position, displaying 
flashing green lights to indicate that vessels may pass. When a train 
approaches, large signs on both the upstream and downstream sides of 
the bridge flash ``Bridge Coming Down,'' the lights go to flashing red, 
and siren signals sound. After an eight minute delay, the draw lowers 
and locks if there are no vessels under the draw. The draw remains down 
for a period of eight minutes or while the approach track circuit is 
occupied. After the train has cleared, the draw opens and the lights 
return to flashing green.
    On April 3, 2002, the drawbridge owner requested a deviation from 
the current operating regulations to allow the owner or operator to 
close this bridge to vessel traffic for emergency repairs. On April 8, 
2002, a conference

[[Page 20442]]

call was held between FEC officials and interested users of the 
waterway to determine the best times to conduct these emergency 
repairs. This deviation is the result of this coordinated effort.

    Dated: April 15, 2002.
Greg Shapley,
Chief, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 02-10177 Filed 4-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P