[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13267-13268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2445]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-06-020]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Connecticut River, Old Lyme, 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 regulation governing

[[Page 13268]]

the operation of the AMTRAK Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge across the 
Connecticut River at mile 3.4, between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, 
Connecticut. This temporary deviation requires the bridge to operate on 
a fixed opening schedule from March 8, 2006 through April 15, 2006, and 
also allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for 72 hours, 
from 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2006 through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, 
March 14, 2006. The draw shall open on signal for commercial vessels, 
except during the 72 hour bridge closure period, after at least a four-
hour advance notice is given. This deviation is necessary to facilitate 
urgent bridge maintenance.

DATES: This deviation is effective from March 8, 2006 through April 15, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch 
Office, One South Street, New York, New York, 10004, between 7 a.m. and 
4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (212) 668-7165. The First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch 
Office maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AMTRAK Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge, 
across the Connecticut River at mile 3.4, has a vertical clearance in 
the closed position of 19 feet at mean high water and 22 feet at mean 
low water. The existing regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.205(b).
    On February 3, 2006, the Coast Guard issued a temporary deviation 
from the drawbridge operation regulations governing the operation of 
the AMTRAK Old Saybrook-Old Lyme Bridge to facilitate scheduled 
electrical and mechanical bridge maintenance.
    On February 24, 2006, during the course of the above scheduled 
bridge maintenance the bridge owner discovered additional necessary 
vital repairs, faulty bridge electrical cables, and a worn pinion 
bearing that must be replaced as soon as possible to assure the 
continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge.
    As a result of the above information, the owner of the bridge, 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), has requested a 
temporary deviation to facilitate urgent bridge repairs, replacement of 
the bridge electrical cables and the pinion bearing.
    In order to perform the above repairs the bridge must open on a 
fixed schedule in order to facilitate the electrical cable repair and 
must remain in the closed position for 72 hours to replace the worn 
pinion bearing.
    Under this temporary deviation the AMTRAK Old Saybrook-Old Lyme 
Bridge across the Connecticut River at mile 3.4, shall open on signal 
Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m., and on 
Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4 p.m.
    In addition, the draw need not open for the passage of vessel 
traffic for 72 hours, from 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2006 through 6 
a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
    The draw shall open on signal for commercial vessels, except during 
the 72 hour closed period, if at least a four-hour advance notice is 
given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    The operation of the CONRAIL Middletown-Portland Bridge at mile 
32.0, across the Connecticut River, which is also listed under 33 CFR 
117.205(b), will not be effected by this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(b), these vital, unscheduled 
repairs should be performed without delay 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: March 6, 2006.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 06-2445 Filed 3-14-06; 8:45 am]
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