[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22395-22396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09065]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0257]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Merrimack River, Groveland and 
Haverhill, MA

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 Groveland Drawbridge across the 
Merrimack River at mile 16.5 between Groveland and Haverhill, 
Massachusetts. The deviation is necessary to facilitate completion of a 
bridge replacement project. This temporary deviation authorizes the 
bridge to require a twenty-four hour advance notice for bridge openings 
for three months.

DATES: This deviation is effective from June 21, 2014 through September 
20, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2014-0257, 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

[[Page 22396]]

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. John McDonald, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, telephone (617) 223-8364, 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 new Groveland Drawbridge across the 
Merrimack River at mile 16.5, between Groveland and Haverhill, has 15.9 
feet of vertical clearance at mean high water and 21.61 feet of 
vertical clearance at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.605(c). The waterway users are and 
seasonal recreational vessels of various sizes.
    The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Department of Transportation 
(MDOT), requested a temporary deviation from the schedule to facilitate 
completion of this new bridge replacement project. Upgrades to the 
electric motor drive system must be undertaken between June and 
September that were not part of the original scope of work.
    The bridge is presently manually operated pending upgrades to the 
drive system and requires a crew of seven to open and close the draw. 
During the final phase of construction the labor force will be less 
than seven laborers presently necessary to operate the bridge.
    Allowing the bridge owner to require a twenty-four hour advance 
notice for bridge openings would provide sufficient time for the bridge 
owner to get the necessary crew members at the bridge to open and close 
the bridge.
    The bridge rarely opens historically during the time period this 
temporary deviation will be in effect.
    Under this temporary deviation the Groveland Drawbridge may require 
at least a twenty-four hour advance notice for bridge openings from 
June 21, 2014 through September 20, 2014. Requests for bridge openings 
may be made by calling the numbers posted at the bridge, (978) 465-8301 
or 1-800-227-0608. There are no alternate routes for vessel traffic to 
take; however, there have been few requests to open the bridge 
historically.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through 
our Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to 
minimize any impact 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: April 11, 2014.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-09065 Filed 4-21-14; 8:45 am]
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