[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 155 (Thursday, August 11, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20378]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0669]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway 
(NJICW); Atlantic City, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Route 30/Abescon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare, NJICW mile 
67.2 and the US 40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside Thorofare, 
NJICW mile 70.0, both at Atlantic City, NJ. The deviation allows the 
bridges to limit the number of openings to accommodate heavy volumes of 
vehicular traffic due to the annual Air Show at Bader Field.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m on August 
17, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0669 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0669 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available 
for inspection or copying at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail Ms. Lindsey Middleton, Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-
6629, e-mail [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 New Jersey Department of Transportation 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations 
of the Route 30/Abescon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare, NJICW 
mile 67.2 and the US 40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside 
Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, both at Atlantic City, NJ. The bridge 
opening changes and closures have been requested to ensure the safety 
of the heavy volumes of vehicular traffic that would be transiting over 
the bridges for the annual Air Show at Bader Field located within the 
city limits. Under this tempoarary deviation, both bridges will open 
every two hours on the hour starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 4 
p.m. followed by bridge closures from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 
August 17, 2011.
    The current operating regulation for the Route 30/Abescon Boulevard 
Bridge is outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(e) which requires that the bridge 
shall open on signal but only if at least four hours notice is given; 
except that from April 1 through October 31, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 
the draw need only open on the hour. The vertical clearance for this 
bascule bridge is 20 feet above mean high water in the closed position 
and unlimited in the open position.
    The current operating regulation for the US 40-322 (Albany Avenue 
Bridge) is outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(f)which requires that on the 
weekdays during this time of year, the bridge shall open on signal; 
except that from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the draw need only open if at least 
four hours of notice is given, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 
9 p.m., the draw need only open on the hour and half hour, and from 4 
p.m. to 6 p.m., the draw need not open. The vertical clearance for this 
bascule bridge is 10 feet above mean high water in the closed position 
and unlimited in the open position.
    The majority of the vessels that transit the bridges this time of 
year are recreational boats. Vessels able to pass through the bridges 
in the closed positions may do so at any time. Both bridges will be 
able to open for emergencies. The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route 
for vessels unable to pass through the bridges in the closed positions. 
The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our Local 
and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure period so that vessels 
can plan their transits to minimize any impact 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: August 2, 2011.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, By direction of the Commander, Fifth Coast 
Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-20378 Filed 8-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P