[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5832-5833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2697]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-03-003]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Cheesequake Creek, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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

SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the 
New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJTRO) railroad bridge, mile 0.2, 
across Cheesequake Creek, at Morgan, South Amboy, New Jersey. Under 
this temporary deviation the

[[Page 5833]]

bridge may remain closed to vessel traffic from February 3, 2003, 
through February 16, 2003. This temporary deviation is necessary to 
facilitate repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from February 3, 2003, through 
February 16, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast 
Guard District, at (212) 668-7165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NJTRO railroad bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 3 feet at mean high water and 8 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.709(b).
    The bridge owner, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, requested a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to 
facilitate necessary maintenance, the refurbishment of the electrical 
controls, at the bridge. The bridge must remain in the closed position 
to perform these repairs. Vessels that can pass under the bridge 
without a bridge opening may do so at all times.
    The waterway users who normally navigate Cheesequake Creek are 
predominantly recreational vessels. The proposed time period is 
historically the time period during which the fewest requests are made 
to open the bridge. The Coast Guard coordinated this closure with the 
mariners who normally use this waterway to help facilitate this 
necessary bridge repair and to minimize any disruption to the marine 
transportation system.
    Under this temporary deviation the NJTRO railroad bridge may remain 
closed to vessel traffic from 8 a.m. on February 3, 2003, through 4 
p.m. on February 16, 2003. The bridge shall open upon a four-hour 
advance notice for emergency situations.
    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: January 24, 2003.
Vivien S. Crea,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-2697 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P