Federal Register: RULES Drawbridge Operation Regulations: [33 CFR Part 117]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

CFR Citation: 33 CFR Part 117

RIN ID: RIN 1625-AA09

USC ID: [USCG-2008-0184]

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Drawbridge Operation Regulations:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Intracoastal Waterway (ICW); Atlantic City, NJ, Air Show Event

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 20, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the US40322 (Albany
[[Page 16762]]
Avenue) Bridge, at ICW mile 70.0, across Inside Thorofare at Atlantic City, NJ. This deviation is necessary to facilitate traffic control during the Atlantic City Air Show. This deviation will cause the bridge to be maintained in the closedtonavigation position.

SUMMARY: Intracoastal Waterway (ICW); Atlantic City, NJ, Air Show Event,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

To facilitate traffic control for the Atlantic City Air Show, the US40322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge will be maintained in the closedtonavigation position from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 20, 2008.

The Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the bridge owner, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), has requested a temporary deviation for the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.733 (f) to close the US40322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge to navigation for the sole purpose of traffic control before, during and after the Atlantic City Air Show display, scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The US40322 (Albany Avenue Bridge) at ICW mile 70.0, across Inside Thorofare at Atlantic City, NJ, a lift drawbridge, has a vertical clearance in the closed position to vessels of 10 feet, above mean high water. The current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.733 (f) requires the draw shall open on signal except that: Yearround from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and from November 1 through March 31 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., the draw need only open if at least four hours notice is given; From June 1 through September 30: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the draw need only open on the hour and half hour; and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the draw need not open.

During the event, vessel operators with mast height lower than 10 feet will continue to be able to transit through the drawbridge. The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route for vessels with a mast height greater than 10 feet.

The Coast Guard reviewed the bridge logs provided by NJDOT for August 2007 which revealed that vessel traffic is primarily recreational and the number of bridge openings on weekdays averages about three openings per day. In addition, qualified personnel will be onsite to open the drawbridge for vessels in the event of an emergency.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway via maritime advisories of the closure period for the bridge so that vessels 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 designated time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: March 19, 2008.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.. [FR Doc. E86475 Filed 32808; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491015P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mrs. Sandra S. Elliott, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 3986557.