[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19001]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0678]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mystic River, Mystic, 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 
Route 1 Bridge across the Mystic River, mile 2.8, at Mystic, 
Connecticut. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge 
rehabilitation repairs at the bridge. Under this deviation the bridge 
may remain in the closed position November through April.

DATES: This deviation is effective from November 1, 2012 through April 
15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0678 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0678 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 K. Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 
District, telephone (212) 668-7165, [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 Route 1 Bridge across the Mystic River 
at mile 2.8, has a vertical clearance of 4 feet at mean high water and 
7 feet at mean low water. The drawbridge operation regulations are 
listed at 33 CFR 117.211.
    The normal waterway users are predominantly recreational craft of 
various sizes.
    The Coast Guard issued two previous temporary deviations, (75 FR 
78163) effective from December 2, 2010 through April 15, 2011 and (76 
FR 70348) effective from December 1, 2011 through April 15, 2012, to 
facilitate this major bridge rehabilitation project that allowed the 
Route 1 Bridge to remain closed during the winter months when the 
bridge rarely opens. Both previous temporary deviations achieved 
successful results without any problems or complaints from the mariners 
that normally transit the Mystic River.
    The owner of the bridge, Connecticut Department of Transportation, 
has requested a third temporary deviation from the regulations to allow 
the bridge to remain in the closed position to complete rehabilitation 
repairs at the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation the Route 1 Bridge may remain in the 
closed position from November 1, 2012 through April 15, 2013, to 
facilitate completion of bridge rehabilitation repairs. Vessels that 
can pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time.
    The bridge has received few requests to open during this time 
period during the past three years. The waterway users were advised of 
the requested bridge closure and no objections were received.
    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 period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: July 25, 2012.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-19001 Filed 8-2-12; 8:45 am]
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