[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 52 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5988]



[[Page 11645]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2009-0155]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Annisquam River, Gloucester, 
MA, Maintenance

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 
Blynman SR127 Bridge across the Annisquam River at mile 0.0, at 
Gloucester, Massachusetts. This temporary deviation allows the SR127 
Bridge to remain in the closed position for four days to facilitate 
bridge maintenance.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on March 16, 2009 
through 6 p.m. on March 25, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0155 and are available online 
at 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 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Blynman SR127 Bridge, across the 
Annisquam River at mile 0.0, at Gloucester, Massachusetts, has a 
vertical clearance in the closed position of 7 feet at mean high water 
and 16 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.586.
    The waterway predominantly supports recreational vessels of various 
sizes, tour boats, whale watch boats and commercial fishing boats.
    The bridge owner, Massachusetts Highway department (MHD), requested 
a temporary deviation to facilitate emergency bridge maintenance to 
repair broken pinion bolts.
    The bridge owner did not provide the thirty days notice to the 
Coast Guard for this deviation; however, this deviation was approved 
because the repairs are time critical and must be performed without 
undue delay in order to assure the continued safe reliable operation of 
the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation the Blynman SR127 Bridge may remain 
in the closed position from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. on March 16, 2009 to 
make a template to fabricate new bolts and from 6 a.m. on March 23, 
2009 through 6 p.m. on March 25, 2009, to install the new pinion cap 
bolts. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening 
may do so at all times.
    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.

    Dated: March 9, 2009.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-5988 Filed 3-18-09; 8:45 am]
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