[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 26, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24696-24697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12159]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0332]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Shrewsbury River, Highlands, NJ

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 
Route 36 Bridge, across the Shrewsbury River at mile 1.8, at Highlands, 
New Jersey. This deviation will allow the bridge to open on signal for 
all marine traffic once an hour on weekends and holidays from 12 p.m. 
to 8 p.m. during the boating season.

DATES: This deviation is effective from May 23, 2009, through September 
7, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0332 and are available Online 
at http://www.regulations.gov, selecting the Advanced Docket Search 
option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0332 in the 
Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in the 
Docket ID column. This material is also available for inspection or 
copying at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call Gary Kassof, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District; 
telephone (212) 668-7021. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Route 36 Bridge has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 35 feet at mean high water and 39 feet at 
mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are 
listed at 33 CFR 117.755(a). The bridge presently opens on the hour and 
half hour between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. from May 15 through October 15, and 
on signal from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. the bridge 
opens on signal after a four-hour advance notice is given.
    The Shrewsbury River is navigated predominantly by recreational 
power boats and sail boats of various sizes.
    Currently only one lane of vehicular traffic is open northbound on 
the Route 36 Bridge due to the Highlands Bridge replacement project.
    As a result of the vehicular travel lane closures traffic 
congestion has become a major concern to motorists and local officials. 
The nearby Gateway National Recreation Area, operated by the National 
Park Service, has been particularly impacted on weekends by traffic 
delays as a result of the bridge construction and drawbridge openings 
for vessel traffic.
    The National Park Service, the New Jersey Department of 
Transportation, and local officials have made various adjustments to 
traffic control to help mitigate the vehicular traffic congestion; 
however, the traffic congestion on weekends in the afternoon continues 
to be a major safety concern when motorists are exiting the Sandy Hook 
area and the Gateway National Recreation Park.
    As a result, the National Park Service and the New Jersey 
Department of Transportation requested a temporary deviation from the 
drawbridge operation regulations to help facilitate a balance between 
vehicular traffic and marine traffic during the summer boating season.
    Under this temporary deviation, in effect from May 23, 2009 through 
September 7, 2009, the Route 36 Bridge at mile 1.8, across the 
Shrewsbury River, shall operate as follows:
    Monday through Friday, the draw shall open on signal, from 7 a.m. 
to 8 p.m., on the hour and half hour only. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. the 
draw shall open on signal. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. the draw shall open 
on signal after at least a four-hour notice is given by calling the 
number posted at the bridge.
    Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the draw shall open on signal from 7 
a.m. through noon, on the hour and half hour. From noon through 8 p.m., 
the draw shall open on signal once an hour, on the hour only. From 8 
p.m. to 11 p.m. the draw shall open on signal. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 
the draw shall open on signal after at least a four-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.


[[Page 24697]]


    Dated: May 13, 2009.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E9-12159 Filed 5-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P