[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01600]



[[Page 4624]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-1036]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hillsborough River, Tampa, FL

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 Hillsborough Avenue Bridge across 
the Hillsborough River, mile 4.8, at Tampa, Florida, to facilitate 
repairs. The deviation is necessary to provide repair personnel the 
time needed to safely remove equipment on the bridge prior to opening. 
This deviation allows the bridge a limited opening providing 20 feet of 
vertical clearance if four hours advanced notice is given. Special 
arrangements with the bridge owner can be made for full openings.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from January 29, 
2014 until 7 p.m. on May 30, 2014. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 7 a.m. on January 6, 2014, until 
January 29, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-1036] 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. Michael Lieberum, Chief 
Operations Section, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch; 
telephone 305-415-6744, email [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, 
Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Florida Department of Transportation 
(FDOT) requested that the Hillsborough Avenue Bridge across the 
Hillsborough River, Tampa, Florida regulation be temporarily changed 
during the repairs to this bridge. The vertical clearance of the bridge 
in the closed position is 10 feet. per 33 CFR 117.291(a), ``[t]he 
drawspans for the drawbridges at Platt Street, mile 0.0, Brorein 
Street, mile 0.16, Kennedy Boulevard, mile 0.4, Cass Street, mile 0.7, 
Laurel Street, mile 1.0, West Columbus Drive, mile 2.3, and West 
Hillsborough Avenue, mile 4.8, must open on signal if at least two 
hours notice is given; except that, the drawspan must open on signal as 
soon as possible for public vessels of the United States.''
    An FDOT contractor originally requested to place the bridge on a 
four hour notice for a 20 foot vertical clearance opening from November 
2013 through August 2014. This request was contested by the local 
marine community; therefore, the Coast Guard sought measures to ensure 
the bridge work could be conducted safely without unreasonably 
obstructing navigation through this area. Based on documentation 
received and subsequent coordination with FDOT and local marine 
interests, the Coast Guard determined that the following restrictions 
to the Hillsborough Avenue Bridge do not unreasonably restrict 
navigation and provide for the safety of workers and the movable bridge 
structure.
    The Hillsborough Avenue Bridge will open to a height of 20 feet of 
vertical clearance with a four hour notice to the bridge tender. The 
normal vertical clearance of the bridge in the closed position of 10 
feet will be reduced by 4 feet to accommodate the painting tarps. 
Vessels requiring less than six feet of vertical clearance may pass at 
any time. Vessels requiring more than 20 feet of vertical clearance 
need to contact Mr. Jim Fitzer, the project manager, at 813-636-2451 to 
coordinate a scheduled opening. Additionally, approximately 10 
nighttime closures from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. may be required to 
complete repairs to Hillsborough Avenue Bridge. Notice will be 
published when these nighttime closures are required.
    The Coast Guard will inform waterway users of the change in 
operating schedule for this bridge through the Local Notice to 
Mariners. Mariners are advised to use this information in order to 
arrange safe transit through this bridge and minimize any delay caused 
by this 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 3, 2014.
B. Dragon,
Director, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-01600 Filed 1-28-14; 8:45 am]
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