[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 11, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12888-12889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4813]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2008-0113]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Intracoastal Waterway (ICW); 
Beach Thorofare, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74.0, across Beach Thorofare at Margate, 
New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to make emergency structural 
steel repairs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 1, 2008, to 
11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or

[[Page 12889]]

copying at Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District, Federal 
Building, 1st Floor, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The telephone number is (757) 398-6557. Commander (dpb), 
Fifth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this 
temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Sandra S. Elliott, Bridge 
Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subcontractor on behalf of the Margate 
Bridge Company, who owns and operates this double-leaf bascule 
drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.5 that requires the bridge 
to open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to 
open is given.
    Margate Bridge has a vertical clearance in the closed position to 
vessels of 14 feet above mean high water (MHW).
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will provide partial 
openings of the lift spans for vessels. The emergency structural steel 
repairs require immobilizing half of the draw span to single-leaf 
operation each day, beginning 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008, until 
and including 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, with a work barge 
occupying one-half of the 58-foot wide channel under the bridge, so 
passage through the bridge will be limited to a 29-foot width for the 
duration of the project. The opposite connecting span while not under 
repair will continue to open for vessels if at least a half-hour 
advance notice is given to the bridge tender at (609) 822-9175 or via 
marine radio on channel 13 VHF. Also, mariners requiring the full 
opening of the lift spans or the full width of the channel under the 
bridge will be directed to use the Atlantic Ocean as the alternate 
route between Absecon and Great Egg Harbor Inlets.
    The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the partial openings of the 
draw span to minimize transiting delays caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge 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.

    Dated: February 26, 2008.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-4813 Filed 3-10-08; 8:45 am]
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