[Federal Register: March 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 48)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12888-12889]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr08-9]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[USCG-2008-0113]
RIN 1625-AA-09
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Intracoastal Waterway (ICW);
Beach Thorofare, NJ
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the
Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74.0, across Beach Thorofare at Margate,
New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to make emergency structural
steel repairs.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 1, 2008, to
11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for
inspection or
[[Page 12889]]
copying at Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District, Federal
Building, 1st Floor, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The telephone number is (757) 398-6557. Commander (dpb),
Fifth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this
temporary deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Sandra S. Elliott, Bridge
Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6557.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subcontractor on behalf of the Margate
Bridge Company, who owns and operates this double-leaf bascule
drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from the current
operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.5 that requires the bridge
to open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to
open is given.
Margate Bridge has a vertical clearance in the closed position to
vessels of 14 feet above mean high water (MHW).
Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will provide partial
openings of the lift spans for vessels. The emergency structural steel
repairs require immobilizing half of the draw span to single-leaf
operation each day, beginning 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008, until
and including 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, with a work barge
occupying one-half of the 58-foot wide channel under the bridge, so
passage through the bridge will be limited to a 29-foot width for the
duration of the project. The opposite connecting span while not under
repair will continue to open for vessels if at least a half-hour
advance notice is given to the bridge tender at (609) 822-9175 or via
marine radio on channel 13 VHF. Also, mariners requiring the full
opening of the lift spans or the full width of the channel under the
bridge will be directed to use the Atlantic Ocean as the alternate
route between Absecon and Great Egg Harbor Inlets.
The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the partial openings of the
draw span to minimize transiting delays 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 designated
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: February 26, 2008.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-4813 Filed 3-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P