[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25977]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0932]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Wrightsville Beach, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S.R. 74 Bridge across the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC. The 
deviation is necessary to facilitate the structural repair of the 
bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to be closed to navigation for 
12 hours each day beginning in the evening.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 p.m. on October 22, 2012, 
until 7 a.m. on March 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2012-0932 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0932 in the ``Search'' box, 
and then clicking ``Search''. This material is also available for 
inspection or copying 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 
temporary deviation from regulations, call or email Mr. Bill H. 
Brazier, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, 
telephone (757) 398-6422, email [email protected]. If you have 
questions on reviewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates this bascule lift bridge, has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations 
set out in 33 CFR 117.821 (a)(4), to facilitate the structural repair 
of the bridge.
    In the closed position to vessels, the S.R. 74 Bridge, at Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC has 
a vertical clearance of 20 feet, above mean high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, from October 22, 2012, through 
March 15, 2013, the S.R. 74 Bridge will be closed to navigation each 
day, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., except vessel openings will be provided 
with a 2-hour advance notice to the bridge tender.
    Vessel traffic along this part of the AIWW consists of commercial 
and pleasure craft including sail boats, fishing boats, and tug and 
barge traffic, that transit mainly during the daylight hours with the 
occasional tug and barge traffic at night. There are no alternate 
routes for vessels transiting this section of the AIWW. Vessels that 
can pass under the bridge without a drawbridge opening may do so at all 
times and the bridge will be able to open in an emergency.
    The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with 
commercial and recreational waterway users. The Coast Guard will inform 
all users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners of the closure periods for the bridge so that vessels can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the draw must return to its 
original operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations 
is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 10, 2012.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-25977 Filed 10-19-12; 8:45 am]
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