[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17579]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0601]


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 a 48 hour period and for periodic overnight closures to 
facilitate pier alignment and completion of work on machinery and the 
lift span.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 p.m. on July 15, 2012 through 
6 a.m. on August 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0601 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0601 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 waterway users are recreational vessels and seasonal fishing 
boats.
    The operator of the bridge, National Passenger Railroad Corporation 
(Amtrak), requested a temporary deviation from the regulations to 
facilitate pier alignment and completion of machinery installation at 
the new Niantic River RR Bridge.
    The Coast Guard previously issued a temporary deviation to Amtrak 
dated May 2, 2012, USCG-2012-0305, to allow the bridge to 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 in order 
to facilitate completion of machinery installation and lift span work 
at the new railroad bridge. However, in May 2012, the contractor 
discovered a minor shift in the bascule pier, causing a misalignment of 
the new bridge.
    Until the pier alignment problem is resolved, the work anticipated 
to be completed during the closures authorized under the May 2, 2012 
temporary deviation cannot be done.
    In order to complete all the remaining work and correct the pier 
alignment problem a 48 hour bridge closure from 9 p.m. July 15 to 9 
p.m. July 17, 2012 was determined to be necessary and the best time to 
conduct work in order to bring the bridge into proper alignment. Once 
the alignment is completed machinery installation and lift span work 
may continue.
    This scenario was presented to the Amtrak Annual Boaters Meeting on 
June 7, 2012. The waterway users and Sector Long Island Sound have all 
concurred with the bridge closure period as the optimal time for the 
closure so that completion of the bridge replacement project is not 
impacted. Additionally, periodic overnight closures with the 
possibility of two openings after advance notice was agreed upon.
    Under this temporary deviation the Amtrak Railroad Bridge may 
remain in the closed position from 9 p.m. on July 15, 2012 through 9 
p.m. on July 17, 2012. In addition, the bridge may remain in the closed 
position during the hours of 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., Sunday through 
Wednesday, each week beginning July 22, 2012 until August 22, 2012 
except that openings will be granted at midnight and 4:30 a.m. with a 2 
hour advance notice. This schedule will be published in the Local 
Notice to Mariners, and via broadcast notice to mariners as necessary.
    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.
    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: July 9, 2012.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-17579 Filed 7-18-12; 8:45 am]
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