[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64178-64179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25294]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0857]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Albemarle Sound to Sunset Beach, 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), 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 AICW, at 
mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC. The deviation is necessary to 
facilitate a significant bridge rehabilitation project. This

[[Page 64179]]

temporary deviation allows the drawbridge to only open on the hour for 
all vessels during daytime hours.

DATES: This deviation is effective from October 28, 2013 through March 
1, 2014, and has been enforced with actual notice since October 1, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0857] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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, call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6557, email [email protected]. If you have questions on 
reviewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates the S.R. 74 Bridge, has requested 
a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 
33 CFR 117.821(a)(6), which is effective until March 1, 2014 (see 78 FR 
23849, Apr. 23,2013 Coast Guard.) This deviation is necessary to 
facilitate a significant rehabilitation project that has been delayed 
due to frequent additional openings for commercial vessels.
    Under the current operating schedule, the draw for the S.R. 74 
Bridge across the AICW, at mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC shall 
open on signal for commercial vessels at all times and on signal for 
pleasure vessels except between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., when it shall only 
open on the hour. For all vessels the draw need not open from 7 p.m. to 
7 a.m., except with a two hour advance notice. The draw need not open 
for annual triathlon events that occur from September through November. 
The S.R. 74 Bridge has a temporary vertical clearance in the closed 
position of 18 feet above mean high water for ongoing maintenance.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge need only open on 
the hour between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for all vessels, beginning at 7 
a.m., on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 until and including to 7 p.m., on 
Sunday March 1, 2014. The bridge will operate under its current 
operating schedule at all other times. The Coast Guard has carefully 
reviewed bridge opening logs and coordinated the restrictions with 
commercial and recreational waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do 
so at anytime and are advised to proceed with caution. The bridge will 
be able to open for emergencies. There is no immediate alternate route 
for vessels transiting this section of the AICW but vessels may pass 
before and after the closure each day. The Coast Guard will also inform 
additional waterway users through our Local and Broadcast Notices 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 drawbridge 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: September 25, 2013.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-25294 Filed 10-25-13; 8:45 am]
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