[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68503-68504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23568]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-07-158]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Cheesequake Creek, Morgan, 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 regulation governing the operation of the 
New Jersey Transit Rail Operation (NJTRO) Railroad Bridge across 
Cheesequake Creek, mile 0.2, at Morgan, New Jersey. Under this 
temporary deviation, the bridge may remain in the closed position from 
January 2, 2008 through March 31, 2008. Vessels that can pass under the 
draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is 
necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

DATES: This deviation is effective from January 2, 2008 through March 
31, 2008.

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 
3 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: Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast 
Guard District, at (212) 668-7069.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NJTRO railroad bridge has a vertical 
clearance of 3 feet at mean high water, and 8 feet at mean low water in 
the closed position. The existing drawbridge operating regulations, 
listed at 33 CFR 117.709(b), require the bridge to open on signal; 
except that, at least

[[Page 68504]]

a four hour notice for bridge openings is required from January 1 
through March 31 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
    The bridge owner, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJTRO), 
requested a bridge closure to facilitate structural and mechanical 
rehabilitation at the NJTRO railroad bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation, the NJTRO railroad bridge may 
remain closed to navigation from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 
2008. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do 
so at all times.
    A small number of fishing boats are docked upstream from the NJTRO 
railroad bridge; however, Cheesequake Creek is predominantly a 
recreational waterway. From January through March, the recreational 
vessels are in winter storage and the waterway is normally not 
transited. The Coast Guard met with the mariners to discuss this bridge 
project and related closure. The mariners agreed with the closure dates 
since that is the time period the bridge seldom opens and the waterway 
is normally frozen.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its 
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. 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: November 26, 2007.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E7-23568 Filed 12-4-07; 8:45 am]
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