[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 141 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36607-36608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17749]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0578]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; East River, New York City, NY, 
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 
Roosevelt Island Bridge across the East River, mile 6.4, at New York 
City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in 
the closed position for one month to facilitate completion of ongoing 
bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a 
bridge opening may do so at all times.

DATES: This deviation is effective from July 24, 2009 through August 
15, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0578 and are available online 
at http://www.regulations.gov, selecting the Advanced Docket Search 
option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0578 in the 
docket ID box, pressing enter, and then clicking on the item in the 
Docket ID column. This material is also available for inspection or 
copying at the Docket Management

[[Page 36608]]

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 
District, telephone (212) 668-7165, [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, 
Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Roosevelt Island Bridge, across the East 
River, mile 3.1, at New York City, New York, has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 34 feet at mean high water and 40 feet at 
mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are 
listed at 33 CFR 117.781(c).
    The East River at the bridge location is a secondary channel not 
normally used by the local seasonal recreational vessels, and 
commercial vessels that can transit around Roosevelt Island on the 
other side.
    The owner of the bridge, New York City Department of 
Transportation, requested a temporary deviation to facilitate the 
completion of construction for a major rehabilitation of the bridge.
    On March 19, 2009, we published a temporary deviation entitled 
``East River, New York'' in the Federal Register (74 FR 11645) that 
allowed the Roosevelt Island Bridge to remain in the closed position 
from April 15, 2009 through July 14, 2009, to facilitate rehabilitation 
construction at the bridge.
    On June 18, 2009, the bridge owner notified us that the 
construction authorized under the above temporary deviation would not 
be completed as originally scheduled on July 14, 2009, and that an 
additional temporary deviation would be necessary for one additional 
month, July 15, 2009 through August 15, 2009, in order to finish their 
work.
    Under this temporary deviation the Roosevelt Island Bridge may 
remain in the closed position from July 15, 2009 through August 15, 
2009. 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: July 14, 2009.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-17749 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
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