Document ID: USCG-2014-0218-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, Gloucester, MA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-04-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08237]

[[Page 20784]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0218]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Annisquam River and Blynman 
Canal, Gloucester, MA

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 Blynman (SR127) Bridge across the 
Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, mile 0.0, at Gloucester, 
Massachusetts. The deviation is necessary to facilitate emergency 
structural repairs at the bridge. This temporary deviation authorizes 
the bridge to require a two hour advance notice for bridge openings for 
six weeks to facilitate emergency repairs at the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from April 14, 
2014 through May 2, 2014. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from March 31, 2014, until April 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2014-0218 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 Mr. John McDonald, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, telephone (617) 223-8364, email 
john.w.mcdonald@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Blynman (SR127) Bridge at mile 0.0, 
across Annisquam River and Blynman Canal at Gloucester, Massachusetts, 
has 8.2 feet of vertical clearance at mean high water and 16 feet of 
vertical clearance at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.586.
    The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Department of Transportation 
(MDOT), requested a temporary deviation from the schedule to facilitate 
emergency structural repairs at the bridge. A recent structural 
inspection revealed structural deterioration of roadway deck stringers 
at the bridge. As a result of the deterioration emergency vehicles and 
school busses are prohibited due to weight limitations from passing 
over the bridge.
    The structural repairs to the bridge deck will take approximately 
six weeks to complete. The bridge owner requested a two hour advance 
notice for bridge openings to allow the contractor sufficient time to 
secure the bridge and remove equipment from the bridge in order to 
provide bridge openings.
    The waterway supports commercial and seasonal recreational vessels 
of various sizes.
    Under this temporary deviation the Blynman (SR127) Bridge at mile 
0.0, across the Annisquam River and Blynman Canal may require at least 
a two hour advance notice for bridge openings from March 31, 2014 
through May 2, 2014. Requests for bridge openings may be made by 
calling the number (978) 283-0243, posted at the bridge.
    There is an alternate route for vessel traffic to take around Cape 
Ann, at Gloucester, should mariners not desire to provide the requested 
two hour advance notice for bridge openings.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through 
our Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits 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 27, 2014.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-08237 Filed 4-11-14; 8:45 am]
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