[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23341]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0848]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mantua Creek, Paulsboro, NJ and 
Raccoon Creek, Bridgeport, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedules that govern the S.R. 44 Bridge over Mantua Creek, 
mile 1.7, at Paulsboro, NJ and Route 130 Bridge over Raccoon Creek, 
mile 1.8, at Bridgeport, NJ. This deviation allows the bridges to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the 2015 
Papal Visit to Philadelphia, PA.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 26, 2015, 
to 11 p.m. on September 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0848], 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. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6222, 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 Jersey Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the S.R. 44 Bridge and Route 130 Bridge, has 
requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations 
set out in 33 CFR 117.729 and 117.741, respectively, to facilitate 
movement of vehicles during the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia, PA.
    Under the normal operating schedule for the S.R. 44 Bridge over 
Mantua Creek, mile 1.7, at Paulsboro, NJ and Route 130 Bridge over 
Raccoon Creek, mile 1.8, at Bridgeport, NJ; the bridges shall open on 
signal from May 1 through October 31, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and all 
other times, if at least four hours notice is given. The vertical 
clearances in the closed-to-navigation position of the S.R. 44 Bridge 
and Route 130 Bridge are 25 feet and 4 feet, respectively, above mean 
high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridges will be closed to 
navigation from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day starting September 26 
through September 28, 2015, except for scheduled daily openings at 7 
a.m. and 7 p.m. The bridges will operate per the normal operating 
schedules between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Mantua Creek and Raccoon Creek are 
used by a variety of vessels including small commercial fishing vessels 
and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the 
restrictions with commercial and recreational waterway users.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridges in the closed position may 
do so at anytime. The bridges will be able to open for emergencies and 
there is no alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the 
bridges in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the 
users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners of the change in operating schedules for these bridges so that 
vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by 
this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their regular operating schedules 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: September 10, 2015.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-23341 Filed 9-16-15; 8:45 am]
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