[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-484]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-02-144]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations. Cape Cod Canal, MA

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 that 
govern the Conrail Railroad Bridge across Cape Cod Canal, mile 0.7, at 
Bourne, Massachusetts. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge 
to remain closed at 60 feet above mean high water from 8 a.m. through 5 
p.m., on 14 days in January, 2003. From 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on 
February 3 and 6, 2003, the bridge may remain fully closed. This 
temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate vital unscheduled 
mechanical repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from January 2, 2003, through 
February 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch 
Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, between 7 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is (617) 223-8364. The First Coast Guard District 
Bridge Branch maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John McDonald, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch, (617) 223-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The vertical clearance under the Conrail 
Railroad Bridge in the open position is 135 feet at mean high water and 
139 feet at mean low water. The draw is normally in the fully open 
position except for the passage of rail traffic. The existing 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.589.
    The owner of the bridge, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), 
requested a temporary deviation from the Drawbridge Operation 
Regulations to facilitate vital unscheduled maintenance, the 
replacement of the counterweight guide rails, at the bridge. This work 
must be performed without delay to ensure continued safe reliable 
operation of the bridge.
    The bridge owner advised the mariners who normally use this 
waterway about the necessary emergency repairs at the bridge and the 
temporary closures that will be required in order to facilitate the 
necessary repairs. No objections were received.
    Under this temporary deviation the Conrail Railroad Bridge, mile 
0.7, across the Cape Cod Canal, may remain closed at 60 feet above mean 
high water from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on January 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 
16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30, 2003. From 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on 
February 3 and 6, 2003, the bridge may remain fully closed.
    Under the deviation schedule listed above, the bridge will be 
closed three days each week; however, the third day each week and the 
last week of the closure schedule were added as extra days in case the 
repair work is delayed by inclement weather.
    Mariners may contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marine 
Traffic Controller 24-hour telephone line at (508) 759-4431 for the 
operational status of the bridge.
    Thirty days notice to the Coast Guard for approval of this bridge 
maintenance was not given by the bridge owner and was not required 
because this work involves vital, unscheduled maintenance that must be 
performed without undue delay.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35, and will be performed with all due speed in order to 
return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible.

    Dated: December 27, 2002.
J.L. Grenier,
Captain, Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-484 Filed 1-9-03; 8:45 am]
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