[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12541-12542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6032]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-04-020]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Hackensack River, NJ

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 
Newburyport US1 Bridge, mile 3.4, across the Merrimack River between 
Newburyport and Salisbury, Massachusetts. Under this temporary 
deviation the bridge need operate only one bascule leaf for bridge 
openings from March 15, 2004 through April 2, 2004. The southeast 
bascule leaf may remain in the closed position to navigation. This 
temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency structural 
repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from March 15, 2004 through April 2, 
2004.

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

[[Page 12542]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Newburyport US1 Bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 35 feet at mean high water and 42 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.605(a).
    The bridge owner, Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), requested 
a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to 
facilitate emergency structural maintenance, the replacement of the 
concrete filled grid deck on the southeast bascule leaf, at the bridge. 
The southeast bascule leaf must remain in the closed position to 
perform these repairs. The north bascule leaf will open fully for the 
passage of vessel traffic during these repairs.
    The Newburyport US1 Bridge has not received any requests to open 
during the month of March for the past seven years.
    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 with undue delay in order to assure the continued safe 
reliable operation of the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation the Newburyport US1 Bridge may keep 
the southeast bascule leaf in the closed position from March 15, 2004 
through April 2, 2004. The north bascule leaf will continue to open for 
the passage of vessel traffic according to the existing drawbridge 
operation regulations which require a one-hour advance notice by 
calling the number posted at the bridge.
    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 5, 2004.
Vivien S. Crea,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 04-6032 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
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