[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 15, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24520]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2008-0969]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Saugus River, MA, Maintenance

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge across the Saugus River at mile 2.5, between 
Lynn and Saugus, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation the 
bridge may open on a limited operating schedule for several months to 
facilitate the reliability of the bridge until it can be repaired 
during the winter months.

DATES: This deviation is effective from October 15, 2008 through 
December 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0969 and are available online 
at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection 
or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30), 
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and 
the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic 
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about the rule, 
call John McDonald, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at 
(617) 223-8364. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee 
V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 6 feet at mean high water and 16 
feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations 
are listed at 33 CFR 117.618(c).
    The Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) requested a temporary 
deviation to help insure the safe reliable operation of the bridge 
until major repairs can be implemented during the winter months when 
the waterway has little activity.
    The waterway has seasonal recreational vessels and commercial 
lobster fishing vessels of various sizes.
    A meeting between the Coast Guard, the owner of the bridge (MHD), 
and the commercial lobster fleet was held on September 10, 2008. The 
owner of the bridge presented engineering evidence of the poor 
condition of the bridge and the need to perform major bridge repairs 
during the winter months. It was concluded that in order to keep the 
bridge operating safely and reliably until the major repairs can 
commence the number of bridge openings must be reduced to save wear and 
tear on the mechanical components. This temporary deviation is 
therefore necessary in order to insure that the bridge continues to 
operate in a safe reliable manner until the major repairs can be made. 
No objection to the proposed temporary deviation schedule was voiced by 
interested parties.
    Therefore, under this temporary deviation, in effect from October 
15, 2008 through December 15, 2008, the Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge shall 
open on signal on the hour and half hour only between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m.
    From 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the draw shall open on signal if at least a 
one-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the 
bridge.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge 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: October 2, 2008.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E8-24520 Filed 10-14-08; 8:45 am]
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