[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 24021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11098]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0595]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Jamaica Bay, Queens, 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 Marine Parkway (Gil Hodges) Bridge 
across Jamaica Bay, mile 3.0, at Queens, NY. This temporary deviation 
extends the period the bridge may remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position and is necessary to finalize emergency repairs.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on May 26, 2018, to 
11:59 p.m. on June 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0595 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 Judy K. Leung-Yee, Bridge Management 
Specialist, First District Bridge Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 
212-514-4336, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 6, 2017, the Coast Guard published a 
temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Jamaica 
Bay, Queens, NY'' in the Federal Register (82 FR 31255). That deviation 
allowed the bridge to open with two-hours of advance notice from July 
6, 2017 to December 22, 2017. On December 7, 2017, the Coast Guard 
published a temporary interim rule with request for comments entitled 
``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Jamaica Bay, Queens, NY'' in the 
Federal Register (82 FR 57674). That temporary interim rule extended 
the period the bridge may remain in the closed position through May 25, 
2018.
    The owner of the bridge, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 
requested a second temporary deviation to extend the bridge closure 
from 12:01 a.m. on May 26, 2018 to 11:59 p.m. on June 29, 2018. This 
extension is necessary to complete emergency repairs associated with 
the replacement of lift span machinery that has been delayed by 
inclement weather.
    The Marine Parkway (Gil Hodges) Bridge across Rockaway Inlet, mile 
3.0 at Queens, New York is a vertical lift bridge with a vertical 
clearance of 55 feet at mean high water and 59 feet at mean low water 
in the closed position. The existing drawbridge operating regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.795(a).
    The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational traffic and some 
commercial vessels. Coordination with waterway users has indicated no 
objections to the proposed closure of the draw. Vessels able to pass 
through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The 
bridge will not be able to open for emergencies. There is no immediate 
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: May 7, 2018.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-11098 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P