Document ID: USCG-2014-0890-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), Newport River, Morehead City, NC
Posted Date: 2014-10-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62337-62338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24774]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0890]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AICW), Newport River, Morehead City, NC

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 Carolina Coastal Railroad Bridge, 
at AICW mile

[[Page 62338]]

203.8, across Newport River in Morehead City, NC. This bridge is 
presently maintained in the open position except when closure is 
necessary for train crossings. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain closed to navigation from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. 
to 3 p.m. every day, from November 3 through November 7, 2014, so that 
necessary maintenance may be made.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 a.m., on Monday, November 3, 
2014 until 3 p.m., on Friday, November 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation [USCG-2014-0890] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Terrance Knowles, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Coast Guard; telephone 757-398-6587, email 
Terrance.A.Knowles@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, at 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates this bascule-type railroad 
drawbridge, has requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating regulations to facilitate the maintenance and steel work on 
the structure. The Carolina Coastal Railroad Bridge, at AICW mile 
203.8, across Newport River in Morehead City, NC, has a vertical 
clearance in the closed to navigation position of 4 feet above mean 
high water.
    The current regulations, under the general requirements set out at 
33 CFR 117.5, require that the drawbridge shall open promptly and fully 
for the passage of vessels when a request to open is given. However, 
the drawbridge is currently maintained in the open to navigation 
position at all times and closes for passing trains.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be closed-to-
navigation for maintenance and steel work on the structure, from 9 a.m. 
to noon, and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., every day from November 3 
through November 7, 2014. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in 
the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to 
open, from noon to 1 p.m., each day to accommodate vessel traffic 
during the deviation period. Also, the bridge can be opened for 
emergencies and there is an alternate route for vessels through 
Beaufort Channel with no additional travel time.
    The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through Local 
and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the temporary deviation in 
operating schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their 
transit plans accordingly. Vessel traffic along this part of the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway consists of commercial and pleasure 
craft including sail boats, fishing boats, and tug and barge traffic, 
that transit mainly during the daylight hours with the occasional tug 
and barge traffic at night. Waterway traffic consists of fishing boats, 
recreational boats, tugs, and barges.
    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: October 6, 2014.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-24774 Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
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