[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37011-37012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16644]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0524]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mill River, New Haven, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation; modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Chapel Street Bridge across the 
Mill River, mile 0.4 at New Haven, Connecticut. This modified deviation 
is necessary to accommodate delays to the bridge deck replacement and 
various repairs. This modified deviation allows the bridge to open for 
the passage of vessels upon two hours of advance notice as well as a 
twelve day closure of the draw to all vessel traffic.

DATES: This modified deviation is effective without actual notice from 
August 8, 2017 through 11:59 p.m. on September 9, 2017. For purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 
2017 until August 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0524, 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 City of New Haven, the owner of the 
bridge, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating 
schedule to facilitate rehabilitation of the bridge, specifically 
replacement of the bridge deck. The Chapel Street Bridge, across the 
Mill River, mile 0.4 at New Haven, Connecticut offers mariners a 
vertical clearance of 7.9 feet at mean high water and 14 feet at mean 
low water in the closed position. The existing drawbridge operating 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.213(d).
    On July 6, 2017, the Coast Guard published a temporary deviation 
entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mill River, New Haven, CT'' 
in the Federal Register (82 FR 31253). Under that temporary deviation, 
the Chapel Street Bridge would open for mariners provided a two hour 
advance notice was furnished to the owner of the bridge (with the 
bridge authorized to remain closed during weekday rush hour timeframes 
with the exception of recognized federal holidays) and the draw would 
remain closed to all vessels requiring an opening from 12:01 a.m. July 
27, 2017 until 11:59 p.m. August 7, 2017 to facilitate the pouring/
curing of new bridge deck material. The draw would then revert to 
opening for mariners given two hours of advance notice until September 
9, 2017.
    Due to project delays precipitated by the discovery of advanced 
corrosion of the steel deck grid prior to the planned pouring of 
concrete deck material as well as associated remediation of the same 
corrosion, the City of New Haven has requested that until 11:59 p.m. 
August 9, 2017 the draw of the Chapel Street Bridge open for the 
passage of vessels requiring an opening provided two hours of advance 
notice is furnished to the owner of the bridge; except that, from 7:30 
a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays, the draw need not open for the passage of 
vessel traffic. The bridge will remain closed to all vessels requiring 
an opening from 12:01 a.m. August 10, 2017 until 11:59 p.m. August 21, 
2017 to facilitate the pouring/curing of new bridge deck material. From 
12:01 a.m. August 22, 2017 until 11:59 p.m. September 9, 2017 the 
bridge will open for the passage of vessels requiring an opening 
provided two hours of advance notice is furnished to the owner of the 
bridge; except that from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not 
open for the passage of vessel traffic.
    The bridge routinely opens for commercial vessels. Nevertheless, 
the requirement for two hours of advance notice has not impeded routine 
waterway operations. Mariners have offered no objection to a twelve day 
closure of the draw in order to complete the necessary deck 
replacement. The concrete pour and curing process can be accomplished 
in four days, but a twelve day closure period has been requested in 
order to take inclement weather into account. The bridge will resume 
operations as soon as the curing process has been completed. The City 
of New Haven has maintained open lines of communication with waterway 
operators and ensured all project developments are quickly disseminated 
to all relevant parties.
    Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so 
at all times. The bridge will be not able to open for emergencies. 
There is no alternate route for vessels to pass.
    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 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

[[Page 37012]]

from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: August 2, 2017.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-16644 Filed 8-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P