[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 419-420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33819]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1028]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; St. Johns River, Jacksonville, 
FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Florida East Coast automated railroad bridge across the St. Johns 
River, mile 24.9, in Jacksonville, Florida. The regulation is set forth 
in 33 CFR 117.325(b). The deviation is necessary to enable the bridge 
owner to repair the bridge. This deviation will result in the bridge 
remaining closed to navigation during extensive periods of daylight 
hours.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on January 15, 2012 
through 5 p.m. on March 29, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1028 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1028 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 Michael Lieberum, Seventh District Bridge Branch, Coast 
Guard; telephone (305) 415-6744, 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: The bridge owner has determined that 
extensive repairs are required on the Florida East Coast automated 
railroad bridge over the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. This 
temporary deviation will enable

[[Page 420]]

the bridge owner to make necessary repairs to the bridge. The bridge 
provides a vertical clearance of 5 feet above mean high water in the 
closed position and a horizontal clearance of 195 feet.
    The normal operating schedule for the bridge is set forth in 33 CFR 
117.325(b). 33 CFR 117.325(b) states that the draw is normally in the 
fully open position, displaying flashing green lights to indicate that 
vessels may pass. When a train approaches, large signs on both the 
upstream and downstream sides of the bridge flash ``Bridge Coming 
Down,'' the lights go to flashing red, and siren signals sound. After 
an eight minute delay, the draw lowers and locks if there are no 
vessels under the draw. The draw remains down for a period of eight 
minutes or while the approach track circuit is occupied. After the 
train has cleared, the draw opens and the lights return to flashing 
green.
    The deviation will be in effect from 8 a.m. on January 15, 2012 
through 5 p.m. on March 29, 2012. As a result of this deviation, the 
Florida East Coast automated railroad bridge over the St. Johns River 
will remain closed to navigation from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and from 
12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. on 
January 15, 2012 through 5 p.m. on March 29, 2012. This deviation will 
affect all vessel traffic transiting under the bridge. Vessels may not 
pass underneath the bridge in closed position, and there are no 
alternate routes for vessel traffic. Due to the nature of the repair 
work, it would take a minimum of two hours to open in an emergency as 
the bridge would have to be rebalanced before it could open.
    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 22, 2011.
W.D. Baumgartner,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2011-33819 Filed 1-4-12; 8:45 am]
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