[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5978]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0124]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway 
(NJICW), Point Pleasant Canal, NJ

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 88/Veterans Memorial Bridge across Point Pleasant Canal, NJICW 
mile 3.0, at Point Pleasant, NJ. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain closed-to-navigation in order to facilitate barrier gate 
replacement and extensive electrical remedial work on the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 19, 2012 
through 5 p.m. on March 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2012-0124 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0124 in the ``Keyword'' box 
and then clicking ``Search''. This material is 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. Jim Rousseau, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth 
Coast Guard District; telephone 757-398-6557, 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 New Jersey Department of Transportation 
(NJDOT) owns and operates the vertical-lift span of the Route 88/
Veterans Memorial Bridge across Point Pleasant Canal along the NJICW, 
in Point Pleasant, NJ. The bridge has a vertical clearance in the 
closed position to vessels of 10 feet, above mean high water. The 
current operating regulations are outlined at 33 CFR 117.5, which 
require the bridge to open when a request or signal to open is given.
    The contractor, Agate Construction on behalf of NJDOT, has 
requested a temporary deviation to the existing regulations for the 
Route 88/Veterans Memorial Bridge to facilitate necessary repairs. The 
repairs consist of the replacement of bridge traffic control devices 
(barrier gates) and extensive electrical remedial work. Under this 
deviation, the vertical-lift span of the drawbridge will be maintained 
in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. on March 19, 2012, 
through 5 p.m. on March 23, 2012.
    Bridge opening data, supplied by NJDOT and reviewed by the Coast 
Guard, revealed that the bridge opened for vessels 1 and 0 times during 
the months of March 2010 and 2011 respectively.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through 
our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure period so 
that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused 
by the temporary deviation.
    Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may 
continue to do so at anytime. The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route 
for vessels with mast heights greater than 10 feet. In the event of an 
emergency, the drawbridge will not be able to open for vessels.
    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 regulation is authorized 
under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: February 22, 2012.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-5978 Filed 3-12-12; 8:45 am]
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