Document ID: USCG-2016-1023-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Annisquam River and Blynman Canal, Gloucester, MA
Posted Date: 2017-03-03T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 41 (Friday, March 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12415-12416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04110]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1023]

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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; 
modification.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has modified a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Blynman (SR127) Bridge across the 
Annisquam River and Blynman Canal at mile 0.0 at Gloucester, MA. This 
modified deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position and is necessary to perform bridge repairs.

DATES: This modified deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 13, 
2017 through 4 p.m. on March 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2016-1023 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 modified 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jeffrey Stieb, First Coast Guard 
District Bridge Branch, Coast Guard, telephone 617-223-8364, email 
Jeffrey.D.Stieb@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 9, 2016, the Coast Guard 
published a temporary deviation entitled ``Drawbridge Operation 
Regulation; Annisquam River and

[[Page 12416]]

Blynman Canal, Gloucester, MA'' in the Federal Register (81 FR 89007). 
The temporary deviation allows the bridge to be opened with a two hour 
advance notice during the hours of 8 p.m. through 4 a.m. from December 
6, 2016 through April 30, 2017.
    The owner of the bridge, the Massachusetts Department of 
Transportation, has requested a modification of the currently published 
deviation in order to close the bridge to navigation from 7 a.m. on 
Monday, March 13, 2017 through 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2017, for 
necessary repairs. Two bascule leaf motors will be removed off site to 
be rehabilitated and reinstalled. During the period of this 
modification the draw span will be inoperable.
    The waterways are transited primarily by seasonal recreational 
vessels of various sizes. On average, twelve requests were made 
annually during the seven day period in March for which the 
modification is requested. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies. The Coast Guard contacted local waterway users regarding 
the Commonwealth's request for this modification and received no 
objections. The height of the bridge in the closed position is eight 
feet. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position 
may continue to do so. The northern entrance to the Annisquam River can 
be used as an alternate route for vessels to Ipswich Bay and the 
Atlantic Ocean.
    The Coast Guard will inform users of the bridge closure through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners so vessel operators can arrange 
their transit to minimize impacts. The drawbridge schedule will return 
to regular operation on April 30, 2017. This deviation from the 
operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: February 27, 2017.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-04110 Filed 3-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P