[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 250 (Thursday, December 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81826-81827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33368]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1119]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Pocomoke River, Pocomoke City, 
MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Route 675 Bridge across Pocomoke River, mile 15.6, at Pocomoke City, 
MD. The deviation restricts the operation of the draw span to 
facilitate an electrical outage for testing purposes.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 19, 2012 to 5 
p.m. on January 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1119 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1119 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 email Mr. Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge Administrator, Fifth 
District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-6222, email 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An engineering consulting firm on behalf of 
the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), who owns and operates 
this single leaf bascule drawbridge, has requested a temporary 
deviation from the current operating schedule to allow for an 
electrical

[[Page 81827]]

outage of the bridge for testing purposes. Under the regular operating 
schedule required by 33 CFR 117.569(b), the bridge opens on signal, 
except between November 1 and March 31 the draw must open only if at 
least five hours advance notice is given.
    The Route 675 Bridge across Pocomoke River, mile 15.6 at Pocomoke 
City, MD, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of three feet 
above mean high water. Under this temporary deviation, the engineering 
consulting firm has requested to maintain the bridge in the closed 
position to vessels beginning at 7 a.m. on January 19, 2012 until and 
including 5 p.m. on January 20, 2012, to allow for an electrical outage 
of the bridge for testing purposes.
    Bridge opening data supplied by SHA and reviewed by the Coast Guard 
revealed that there were approximately five openings in January 2011.
    The Coast Guard has coordinated the restrictions with the local 
users of the waterway and will inform other users through our Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure periods for the bridge so 
that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused 
by the temporary deviation. There are no alternate routes for vessels 
transiting this section of the Pocomoke River and the drawbridge will 
be not able to open in the event of an emergency.
    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: December 14, 2011.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-33368 Filed 12-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P