[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20153]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0855]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway 
(NJICW), Beach Thorofare, Margate City, NJ

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 Margate Boulevard/Margate Bridge 
which carries Margate Boulevard across the NJICW (Beach Thorofare), 
mile 74.0, at Margate City, NJ. The deviation is necessary to 
facilitate urgent bridge maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge 
to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from September 
21, 2017 through 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 7 a.m. on Monday September 
18, 2017 until September 21, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0855] 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 Mr. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6557, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Margate Bridge Company, owner and 
operator of the Margate Boulevard/Margate Bridge that carries Margate 
Boulevard across the NJICW (Beach Thorofare), mile 74.0, at Margate 
City, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating schedule to facilitate urgent maintenance of the structural 
steel of the bascule spans of the double bascule drawbridge. The bridge 
has a vertical clearance of 14 feet above mean high water in the closed 
position and unlimited clearance in the open position.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.5. Under 
this temporary deviation, the bridge will be in the closed-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017, through 
7 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017, and from 7 a.m. on Monday, 
October 2, 2017, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
    The Beach Thorofare is used by recreational vessels. The Coast 
Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with waterway users in 
publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels will not be able to pass through the bridge in the closed-
to-navigation position, as two construction barges will be occupying 
the navigation channel during the closure periods. The bridge will not 
be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternative 
route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed 
position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway 
through our Local Notice 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 from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: September 18, 2017.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-20153 Filed 9-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P