[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 86 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 25203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8612]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-07-048]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Charles River and Its 
Tributaries, Boston, MA

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 the operation of the 
Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR)/Amtrak Bridge across the 
Charles River, mile 0.8, at Boston, Massachusetts. Under this temporary 
deviation, in effect for four weekends, the MBCR/Amtrak Bridge may 
remain in the closed position for five consecutive hours, each Friday 
evening from 11:59 p.m. through to 5 a.m. Saturday morning. From 5 a.m. 
on each Saturday morning through 11:59 p.m. on each Sunday evening the 
bridge will open on signal on the hour only. Vessels that can pass 
under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This 
deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge track repairs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from April 28, 2007 through May 20, 
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 MBCR/Amtrak Bridge, across the Charles 
River, mile 0.8, at Boston, Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in 
the closed position of 3 feet at mean high water and 12 feet at mean 
low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 
33 CFR 117.591(c).
    The owner of the bridge, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad 
(MBCR), requested a temporary deviation to facilitate repairs to the 
bridge rails.
    Under this temporary deviation, in effect from Friday, April 27, 
2007 through Sunday May 20, 2007, the MBCR/Amtrak Bridge need not open 
for the passage of vessel traffic from 11:59 p.m. on each Friday 
evening through 5 a.m. each Saturday morning. From 5 a.m. each Saturday 
morning through 11:59 p.m. each Sunday evening the bridge shall open on 
signal, on the hour only. Vessels that can pass under the bridge 
without a bridge opening may do so at all times.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.35.
    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.

    Dated: April 26, 2007.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E7-8612 Filed 5-3-07; 8:45 am]
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