[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22336]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0942]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Curtis Creek, Baltimore, MD

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 I695 Bridge across Curtis Creek, 
mile 1.0, at Baltimore, MD. The deviation is necessary to facilitate 
maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from October 
15, 2018 through 7 p.m. on October 19, 2018. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 7 a.m. on October 1, 2018, 
until October 15, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0942] 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. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6222, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cianbro Corporation, on behalf of the 
Maryland Transportation Authority, owner and operator of the I695 
Bridge across Curtis Creek, mile 1.0, at Baltimore, MD, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to accommodate 
maintenance. The current operating regulation is set out in 33 CFR 
117.557.
    Under this temporary deviation, the east bascule draw of the south 
span will be maintained in closed-to-navigation position and the west 
bascule draw of the south span will be maintained in the open-to-
navigation position from 7 a.m. on October 1, 2018, through 7 p.m. on 
October 19, 2018. The north span will open on signal if at least a one-
hour notice is given. At all other times the bridge will operate per 33 
CFR 117.557. During the closure of the east bascule draw of the south 
span, the I695 Bridge will provide 100 feet of horizontal clearance and 
unlimited vertical clearance in the open position and 200 feet of 
horizontal clearance and 58 feet of vertical clearance above mean high 
water in the closed position.
    Curtis Creek is used by military vessels, recreational vessels, tug 
and barge traffic, fishing vessels, and small commercial vessels. The 
Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel 
traffic on the waterway and coordinated with maritime stakeholders in 
publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position or 
with the east bascule draw of the south span in the closed position may 
do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open on signal for 
emergency or urgent vessel transits from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday 
through Saturday, if at least a one-hour notice is given; and from 7 
p.m. to 7 a.m., and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2018, 
and Sunday, October 14, 2018, if at least a four-hour notice is given. 
There is no immediate alternate route for vessels unable to pass 
through the bridge in the closed position or with the east bascule draw 
of the north span in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also 
inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast 
Notice 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 this effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 9, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-22336 Filed 10-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P