[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6640]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-03-019]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Chelsea River, MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 for the 
P.J. McArdle Bridge, mile 0.3, across Chelsea River between East Boston 
and Chelsea, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation a four-hour 
advance notice will be required for openings at night from March 9, 
2003 through April 7, 2003. This temporary deviation is necessary to 
facilitate repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from March 9, 2003 through April 7, 
2003.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The P.J. McArdle Bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 21 feet at mean high water and 30 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.593.
    The bridge owner, the City of Boston, requested a temporary 
deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to facilitate 
necessary maintenance, the replacement of the segmental girders, floor 
beams, and bascule span balancing, at the bridge. The bridge must 
remain in the closed position to perform these repairs.
    The waterway users who normally navigate the Chelsea River at night 
are commercial tugs and fuel barges. The Coast Guard coordinated this 
closure with the mariners and the oil facilities 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 P.J. McArdle Bridge will open on 
signal provided a four-hour advance notice is given for openings during 
the following time periods: March 9, through March 15, from 6 p.m. 
through 7 a.m., March 16, through March 22, from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m., 
March 23, through March 29, from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m., March 30, 
through April 5, from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m., April 6, through April 7, 
from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m.
    The bridge owner did not provide the required thirty-day notice to 
the Coast Guard for this deviation; however, this deviation was 
approved because the repairs are necessary repairs that must be 
performed without delay in order to assure the continued safe reliable 
operation of the bridge and prevent an unscheduled closure due to 
component failure.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35(b), and will be performed with all due speed in order to 
return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible.

    Dated: March 7, 2003.
Vivien S. Crea,
Rear Admiral, Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-6640 Filed 3-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P