[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 119 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13879]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2008-0477]
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, across Beach Thorofare at Margate, New 
Jersey. The deviation is necessary to sandblast, paint and make repairs 
to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to provide partial 
vessel openings.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 1, 2008, to 
11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0477 and are available online 
at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection 
or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30), 
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and 
the 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.

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, located at ICW mile 74, across Beach Thorofare at 
Margate, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position to 
vessels of 14 feet above mean high water (MHW).
    The Coast Guard reviewed the 2007 bridge logs provided by the 
Margate Bridge Company. The logs recorded approximately 79 vessel 
openings granted in October, 34 vessel openings granted in November and 
4 vessel openings granted in December of last year.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will provide partial 
openings of the lift spans for vessels. The maintenance and repairs 
require immobilizing half of the draw span to single-leaf operation 
each day, beginning 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2008, until and 
including 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 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. 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: June 11, 2008.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-13879 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
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