[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 2, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25889-25890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10601]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0305]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Niantic River, Niantic, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Amtrak Railroad Bridge across the Niantic River, mile 0.0, at Niantic, 
Connecticut. The deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed 
position for 20 nights to facilitate completion of work on machinery 
and the lift span.

DATES: This deviation is effective from May 15, 2012 through August 15, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0305 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0305 in the ``Keyword'' 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 Ms. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 
District, telephone (212) 668-7165, 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 Amtrak Railroad Bridge, across the 
Niantic River, mile 0.0, at Niantic, Connecticut, has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 16 feet at mean high water. The 
drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.215(a).
    The operator of the bridge, National Passenger Railroad Corporation 
(Amtrak), requested a temporary deviation from the regulations to 
facilitate completion of machinery installation and lift span work at 
the new Niantic River RR Bridge. To facilitate completion of the work 
at the new bridge, Amtrak has requested a total of 20 nighttime 
closures between 11 p.m. through 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday, 
beginning May 15, 2012 until August 15, 2012.
    The waterway users are recreational vessels and seasonal fishing 
boats.
    Under this temporary deviation the Amtrak Railroad Bridge may 
remain in the closed position during the hours of 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., 
Monday through Thursday, beginning May 15, 2012 until August 15, 2012. 
The Amtrak Railroad Bridge will require 20 nighttime closures during 
this period. The exact calendar dates for the closures have not been 
established due to other related construction at the bridge. The exact 
closure dates will be published in the Local Notice to Mariners one 
week in advance of the closures.
    Vessels that can pass under the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at all times.
    The waterway users were advised of the requested bridge closure and 
offered no objection.

[[Page 25890]]

    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its 
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time periods. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: April 24, 2012.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-10601 Filed 5-1-12; 8:45 am]
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