[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 65 (Thursday, April 6, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16735-16736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06817]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0048]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Beach Bridge, Reynolds 
Channel, Lawrence, NY

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 Atlantic Beach Bridge across 
Reynolds Channel, mile 0.4 at Lawrence, New York. This action is 
necessary to recoat the superstructure and reconstruct the double-leaf 
bascule spans in three sequential two month stages within six months. 
The deviation will allow the bridge to open only one bascule span at a 
time in order to provide passage for vessels that require an opening.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on April 17, 2017 to 
11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0048 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email James M. Moore, Bridge Management 
Specialist, First District Bridge Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 
212-514-4334, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nassau County Bridge Authority, the 
owner of the bridge, requested a temporary deviation in order to 
facilitate reconstruction of the bascule leaves. The Atlantic Beach 
Bridge across Reynolds Channel, mile 0.4 at

[[Page 16736]]

Lawrence, New York is a double-leaf bascule bridge offering mariners a 
vertical clearance of 25 feet at mean high water and 30 feet at mean 
low water in the closed position. Installation of a work platform 
underneath the bascule spans will reduce available vertical clearance 
in the closed position to 21.5 feet at mean high water. The existing 
drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.799(e).
    The bridge generally opens four times per week allowing for routine 
passage of towing vessels with tank barges or dry cargo barges. The 
bulk of other vessel traffic is predominately recreational not 
requiring an opening in order to proceed through the draw.
    The temporary deviation will allow the Atlantic Beach Bridge to 
open only one of the two bascule spans for bridge openings from 12:01 
a.m. on April 17, 2017 to 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2017.
    Between April 17, 2017 and May 14, 2017 dual lift span operations 
will be permitted for commercial vessels and tug/barge units provided a 
48 hour advance notice and 24 hour advance confirmation has been 
provided from 7 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Friday. Between April 17, 
2017 and May 14, 2017, from 6 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Monday, dual 
bascule lift span operations will be offered for vessels requiring an 
opening every hour on the hour.
    Between May 15, 2017 and October 13, 2017 single leaf bascule 
openings will be offered upon signal except that the draw need only be 
opened on the hour and half-hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday 
through Friday. Dual lift span operations will be permitted for 
commercial vessels and tug/barge units provided a 48 hour advance 
notice and 24 hour advance confirmation has been provided. Dual lift 
span operation will occur every hour on the hour and half-hour as 
needed on weekends from May 15, 2017 through October 13, 2017 from 7 
p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday in addition to Memorial Day, Independence 
Day (4th of July), and Labor Day.
    Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so 
at all times. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and there 
is an alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge 
when in the closed position.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through 
our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact 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: March 31, 2017.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-06817 Filed 4-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P