[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 7 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-240]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-07-006]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Acushnet River, New Bedford and 
Fairhaven, MA

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 regulation governing the operation of the 
Route 6 highway bridge across the Acushnet River, mile 0.0, between New 
Bedford and Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation a 
30-minute advance notice for bridge openings shall be required between 
7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from January 8, 2007 through 
February 2, 2007. This deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency 
bridge fender repairs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from January 8, 2007 through 
February 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch 
Office, 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 First Coast Guard District 
Bridge Branch Office maintains the public docket for this temporary 
deviation.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Route 6 highway bridge, across the 
Acushnet River, mile 0.0, between New Bedford and Fairhaven, 
Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8 
feet at mean high water and 12 feet at mean low water. The existing 
drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.585.
    The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Highway Department, 
requested a temporary deviation to facilitate emergency bridge 
protective fender repairs. The bridge fender system on the east channel 
was recently damaged by a vessel allision. The damaged fender system 
must be repaired as soon as possible in the interest of navigational 
safety.
    Under this temporary deviation the Route 6 highway bridge shall 
require at least a 30-minute advance notice for bridge openings between 
7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from January 8, 2007 through 
February 2, 2007.
    The bridge will continue to open in accordance with the normal 
operating schedule which requires the bridge to open on the hour 
between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and at a quarter past the hour between 11:15 
a.m. and 6:15 p.m. However, in order to perform necessary bridge 
repairs, a 30 minute advance notice for such openings is required 
between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays from January 8 
through February 2, 2007.
    During this period the bridge shall open at any time for vessels 
whose draft exceeds 15 feet. However, such vessels must also provide 30 
minute advance notice.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, this work will be performed with 
all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon 
as possible.
    Should the bridge maintenance authorized by this temporary 
deviation be completed before the end of the effective period published 
in this notice, the Coast Guard will rescind the remainder of this 
temporary deviation, and the bridge shall be returned to its normal 
operating schedule. Notice of the above action shall be provided to the 
public in the Local Notice to Mariners and the Federal Register, where 
practicable.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 3, 2007.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E7-240 Filed 1-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P