[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6975-6976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1252]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-06-011]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Niantic River, Niantic, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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

SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations governing 
the operation of the Amtrak Bridge at mile 0.0, across the Niantic 
River, at Niantic, Connecticut. This deviation allows the bridge owner 
to require an advance notice for bridge openings from February 3, 2006 
through April 3, 2006. This deviation is necessary in order to 
facilitate emergency unscheduled bridge maintenance.

DATES: This deviation is effective from February 3, 2006 through April 
3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at Commander (dpb) First Coast Guard District, 
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 Commander (dpb), First Coast Guard 
District, maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Amtrak Bridge has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 11 feet at mean high water and 14 feet at 
mean low water. The existing drawbridge operating regulations are 
listed at 33 CFR 117.215(a).
    The owner of the bridge, National Railroad Passenger Corporation 
(Amtrak), requested a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operating 
regulations to facilitate the emergency replacement of the bridge 
control system, after informing the Coast Guard of this emergency on 
January 12, 2006. The bridge will not be able to open on signal for 
vessel traffic during the performance of this scheduled maintenance.
    The bridge owner did not provide the required thirty-day notice to 
the Coast Guard for this deviation; however, in accordance with 33 CFR 
117.35(b) this deviation was requested because the repairs are 
necessary repairs that must be performed without undue delay in order 
to assure the continued safe reliable operation of the bridge and

[[Page 6976]]

prevent an unscheduled closure due to component failure.
    As a result, the bridge owner has requested that mariners provide 
an advance notice for bridge openings to allow maintenance personnel 
sufficient time to manually open the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation, in effect from February 3, 2006 
through April 3, 2006, the Amtrak Bridge at mile 0.0, across the 
Niantic River, Connecticut, shall open on signal from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
after a one-hour notice is given and from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., after a 
two-hour notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(b), this work will be performed 
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as 
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: February 2, 2006.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 06-1252 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P