Document ID: USCG-2016-0126-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Barnegat Bay, Seaside Heights, NJ
Posted Date: 2016-03-11T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05549]

[[Page 12824]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0126]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Barnegat Bay, Seaside Heights, 
NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the S37 Bridge across the Barnegat Bay, 
mile 14.1, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, at Seaside Heights, NJ. 
This deviation is necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs. 
This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on March 31, 2016 to 8 
p.m. on April 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0126] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Jersey Department of Transportation, 
that owns and operates the S37 Bridge, has requested a temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulations to continue performing 
a maintenance and repair project on the bridge that commenced at 8 a.m. 
on December 1, 2015 and was scheduled to cease at 8 p.m. on March 31, 
2016. The bridge is a bascule draw bridge and has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 30 feet above mean high water.
    The current operating schedule as set out in 33 CFR 117.733(c) 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to- navigation position from 
8 a.m. December 1, 2015 until 8 p.m. March 31, 2016. Under this 
temporary deviation, the bridge will continue to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 8 p.m. on March 31, 2016 to 8 p.m. on April 
17, 2016.
    The Barnegat Bay on the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway is used by 
a variety of vessels including small government and public vessels, 
small commercial vessels, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has 
carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the 
waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways 
through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in 
operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange 
their transit 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 8, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-05549 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
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