[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4247-4248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1729]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1117]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
and Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviations from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has issued 
temporary deviations from the regulations governing the operation of 
the following two bridges in Miami, Florida: The Venetian Causeway 
Bridge (West), mile 1088.6, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; 
and the Venetian Causeway Bridge (East), across Biscayne Bay. The 
deviations are necessary due to the high volume of vessel and vehicle 
traffic anticipated because of the Miami International Boat Show. These 
deviations will result in the bridges only opening to navigation on the 
hour and half-hour before, during, and after the Miami International 
Boat Show.

DATES: These deviations are effective from 7 a.m. on February 13, 2012 
through 9 p.m. on February 21, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1117 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1117 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 Miami International Boat Show Operations 
Manager has requested temporary modifications to the operating 
schedules of the Venetian Causeway Bridge (West) and the Venetian 
Causeway Bridge (East) in Miami, Florida. These deviations will result 
in the bridges being allowed to open only on the hour and half-hour 
from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, from February 13, 2012 through February 
21, 2012.
    The Miami International Boat Show generates a high volume of vessel 
and vehicle traffic. In previous years, opening these bridges on demand 
has resulted in significant vehicle congestion. By opening the bridges 
only on the hour and half-hour (rather than on demand) traffic 
congestion will be reduced. The temporary deviation will be effective 
from 7 a.m. on February 13, 2012 through 9 p.m. on February 21, 2012.
    The details, regular operating schedule, and deviation period for 
each bridge are set forth below.
    1. Venetian Causeway Bridge (West), mile 1088.6. The vertical 
clearance of the Venetian Causeway Bridge (West), across the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway is 12 feet. The normal operating schedule for the 
Venetian Causeway Bridge (West) is set forth in 33 CFR 117.261(nn). 33 
CFR 117.261(nn) requires the bridge to open on signal; except that from 
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the 
bridge need only open on the hour and half-hour.
    2. Venetian Causeway Bridge (East). The vertical clearance of the 
Venetian Causeway Bridge (East), across Biscayne Bay is 6 feet. The 
normal operating schedule for the Venetian Causeway Bridge (East) is 
set forth in 33 CFR 117.269. 33 CFR 117.269 requires the bridge to open 
on signal; except that from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays, the bridge need only open on the hour and 
half-hour.
    As a result of these temporary deviations, the Venetian Causeway 
Bridge (West) and the Venetian Causeway Bridge (East) will only open to 
navigation on the hour and half-hour from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, 
including weekend days, from February 13, 2012 through February 21, 
2012. At all other times the bridges will open on demand. However, the 
drawspans will open as soon as possible at any time for the passage of 
public vessels of the United States, tugs, with tows, and vessels in 
distress.

[[Page 4248]]

    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their regular operating schedules immediately at the end of the 
designated time period. These deviations from the operating regulations 
are authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 11, 2012.
B.L. Dragon,
Bridge Program Director, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-1729 Filed 1-26-12; 8:45 am]
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