[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 23, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 68079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25966]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-04-144]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Hackensack River, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations and request for 
comment.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to test 
an alternate drawbridge operation regulation for the AMTRAK Portal 
Bridge, mile 5.0, across the Hackensack River at Little Snake Hill, New 
Jersey. Under this temporary 90-day deviation the two time periods in 
the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday, when the bridge may 
remain closed to vessel traffic, will be expanded. The purpose of this 
temporary deviation is to test an alternate drawbridge operation 
schedule for 90 days and solicit comment from the public.

DATES: This deviation is effective from December 13, 2004 through March 
12, 2005. Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before April 12, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Commander (obr), First Coast Guard 
District Bridge Branch, One South Street, Battery Park Building, New 
York, New York, 10004, or deliver them to the same address between 7 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except, Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is (212) 668-7165. The First Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Branch, maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. 
Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents 
indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will 
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 7 a.m. to 3 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD01-04-
144), indicate the specific section of this document to which each 
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know if 
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during 
the comment period. We may change this rule in view of them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast 
Guard District, at (212) 668-7165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AMTRAK Portal Bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 23 feet at mean high water and 28 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR Sec.  117.723(c).
    The bridge owner, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
requested a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation 
regulations to test for a period of 90 days, an alternate drawbridge 
operation schedule. This temporary 90-day deviation will expand the two 
time periods in the morning and afternoon Monday through Friday when 
the bridge may remain closed to vessel traffic.
    Rail traffic during the morning and afternoon commuter periods have 
increased. Additionally, bridge openings during the two commuter time 
periods have caused delays to rail traffic prompting the bridge owner 
to request the expansion of the bridge closure periods during week 
days.
    The existing drawbridge operation regulations allow the bridge to 
remain closed to vessel traffic, Monday through Friday, from 7:20 a.m. 
to 9:20 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., daily.
    Under this 90-day temporary deviation, effective from December 13, 
2004 through March 12, 2005, the AMTRAK Portal Bridge need not open for 
vessel traffic, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 
4 p.m. to 8 p.m., daily.
    Additional bridge openings shall be provided for commercial vessels 
from 6 a.m. to 7:20 a.m., from 9:20 a.m. to 10 a.m., from 4 p.m. to 
4:30 p.m. and from 6:50 p.m. to 8 p.m., if at least a one-hour advance 
notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.43.

    Dated: November 9, 2004.
John L. Grenier,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 04-25966 Filed 11-22-04; 8:45 am]
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