[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10831]



[[Page 23390]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-03-031]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Mianus River, CT

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 
Metro North Bridge, mile 1.0, across the Mianus River in Cos Cob, 
Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation a three-hour advance notice 
for bridge openings will be required from April 25, 2003 through May 
26, 2003. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate 
structural repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from April 25, 2003 through May 26, 
2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Schmied, Project Officer, First 
Coast Guard District, at (212) 668-7195.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Metro North Bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 20 feet at mean high water and 27 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.209.
    The bridge owner, Metro North Commuter Railroad, requested a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to 
facilitate necessary maintenance, the replacement of damaged miter 
rails and timbers, at the bridge. The bridge must remain in the closed 
position to perform these repairs.
    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 for the Metro North Bridge, a three-
hour advance notice will be required for bridge openings from April 25, 
2003 through May 26, 2003.
    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.
    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: April 21, 2003.
John L. Grenier,
Captain, Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-10831 Filed 5-1-03; 8:45 am]
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