Document ID: USCG-2012-0006-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Merrimack River, Amesbury, MA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2012-02-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3101]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0006]

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Merrimack River, Amesbury, MA

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 
1st Lt. Derek S. Hines Memorial Bridge, mile 5.8, across the Merrimack 
River at Amesbury (Newburyport), Massachusetts. The deviation is 
necessary to facilitate bridge rehabilitation and repairs. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for four 
months.

DATES: This deviation is effective from February 13, 2012 through May 
11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0006 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0006 in the ``Keyword'' and 
then clicking ``Search''. They are 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 or email Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 
District, joe.m.arca@uscg.mil or telephone (212) 668-7165. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, 
Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1st Lt. Derek S. Hines Memorial Bridge, 
across the Merrimack River, mile 5.8, at Amesbury (Newburyport), 
Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 13 
feet at mean high water and 20 feet at mean low water. The drawbridge 
operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.605(c).
    The owner of the bridge, Massachusetts Department of 
Transportation, requested a temporary deviation from the regulations to 
facilitate bridge rehabilitation repairs, replacement of operating 
machinery, structural steel, and highway deck on the swing span.
    Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed 
position from February 13, 2012 through May 11, 2012.
    The bridge rarely opens during the time period this temporary 
deviation will be in effect. In addition, mariners may use an alternate 
channel to the south under the Chain Bridge, which is a fixed highway 
bridge that provides 28 feet of vertical clearance at mean high water 
and 35 feet of vertical clearance at mean low water.
    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: February 1, 2012.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-3101 Filed 2-9-12; 8:45 am]
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