[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30735-30736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13854]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0325]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Quantuck Canal, Westhampton 
Beach, 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 West Bay Bridge across the Quantuck 
Canal, mile 0.1 at Westhampton Beach, New York. This action is 
necessary to complete rehabilitation of the bascule leaves of the 
drawbridge. The deviation will allow the bridge to open only one 
bascule span in order to provide passage for vessels requiring an 
opening.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on October 2, 2017 
to 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0325, 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 Suffolk County Department of Public 
Works, the owner of the bridge, requested a temporary deviation in 
order to facilitate reconstruction of the bascule leaves.
    The West Bay Bridge across the Quantuck Canal, mile 0.1, at 
Westhampton Beach, New York is a double-leaf bascule bridge offering 
mariners a vertical clearance of 11 feet at mean high water and 13.3 
feet at mean low water in the closed position. Horizontal clearance is 
50 feet. Utilization of a work barge placed underneath one of the 
bascule leaves will reduce horizontal clearance to 25 feet. The 
existing drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.799(d).
    This temporary deviation will allow the Beach Lane Bridge to open 
only one of the two bascule spans for bridge openings from 12:01 a.m. 
on October 2, 2017 to 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2018. Dual lift span 
operations will be available, provided 48 hours of advance notice is 
furnished to the owner of the bridge.
    The majority of vessels requiring bridge openings are sailing 
vessels and yachts transiting the waterway. Discussion with the 
proprietor of the Modern Yachts Marina located in the vicinity of the 
bridge confirms typical recreational traffic will continue to be able 
to proceed through the navigation opening of the bridge during one-leaf 
operations. Moreover, the bulk of recreational traffic that utilizes 
the waterway is largely seasonal in nature, peaking during the late 
spring, summer and early autumn months. Little to no recreational 
traffic transits the Quantuck Canal throughout the winter. Small scale 
tug/barge combinations occasionally transit the Quantuck Canal, but 
such commercial craft are generally limited in size. Mariners concur 
that the requirement to provide the bridge owner 48 hours of advance 
notice for dual lift span operations will not impede overall 
operations.
    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 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

[[Page 30736]]

temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: June 15, 2017.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-13854 Filed 6-30-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P