[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-23343]



[[Page 55763]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0850]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Delaware River, Burlington 
County, 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 Tacony-Palmyra (Route 73) Bridge 
over Delaware River, mile 107.2, between Tacony, PA and Palmyra, NJ and 
Burlington-Bristol (Route 413) Bridge over Delaware River, mile 117.8, 
between Burlington, NJ and Bristol, PA. 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 6 a.m. on September 26, 2015, 
to 9 p.m. on September 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0850], 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 Burlington County Bridge Commission, who 
owns and operates the Tacony-Palmyra (Route 73) Bridge over Delaware 
River and Burlington-Bristol (Route 413) Bridge over Delaware River, 
has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.716 to facilitate movement of 
vehicles during the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia, PA.
    Under the normal operating schedule for Tacony-Palmyra (Route 73) 
Bridge over Delaware River, mile 107.2, between Tacony, PA and Palmyra, 
NJ and Burlington-Bristol (Route 413) Bridge over Delaware River, mile 
117.8, between Burlington, NJ and Bristol, PA; opening of the bridge 
may not be delayed more than five minutes after the signal to open is 
given. The vertical clearances in the closed-to-navigation position of 
the Tacony-Palmyra (Route 73) Bridge over Delaware River and 
Burlington-Bristol (Route 413) Bridge over Delaware River are 53 feet 
and 62 feet, respectively, above mean high water.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridges will remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on September 26 and 
September 27, 2015, except for scheduled daily openings at 12 noon and 
6 p.m. Vessels signaling an intention to transit through both bridges 
during a scheduled opening will receive openings at both bridges. The 
bridges will operate as required per 33 CFR 117.716 from 9 p.m. on 
September 26 to 6 a.m. on September 27, 2015. The Delaware River is 
used by a variety of vessels including deep draft ocean-going vessels, 
small commercial fishing vessels, recreational vessels and tug and 
barge traffic. 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. 2015-23343 Filed 9-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P