
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-51]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1134]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
(AIWW), Wrightsville Beach, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
S.R. 74 Bridge across the AIWW, mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC. 
The deviation restricts the operation of the draw span to facilitate 
the structural repair of the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 p.m. on January 3, 2012 until 
7 a.m. on March 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2011-1134 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1134 in the ``Keywords'' box, 
and then clicking ``Search''. This material is also available for 
inspection or copying 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. Bill H. Brazier, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth 
Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6422, email 
Bill.H.Brazier@uscg.mil. If you have questions on reviewing the docket, 
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, (202) 366-
9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, who owns and operates this bascule-lift type bridge, 
has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a)(4), to facilitate the 
structural repair of the bridge.
    The S.R. 74 Bridge across the AIWW mile 283.1, at Wrightsville 
Beach, NC has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 20 feet, 
above mean high water.
    Under the regular operating schedule, the drawbridge shall open on 
signal for commercial vessels at all times; and on signal for pleasure 
vessels except between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. when the drawbridge need only 
open on the hour.
    Under this temporary deviation, the structural repairs will 
restrict the operation of the draw span to the closed-to-navigation 
position, each day from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., beginning on Tuesday, January 
3, 2012 and ending on Thursday, March 15, 2012; except vessel openings 
will be provided with at least two hours advance notice given to the 
bridge operator. Each day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., the drawbridge 
will continue to operate as set out in 33 CFR 117.821(a).
    Vessels may transit under the drawbridge while it is in the closed 
position. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway serves a variety of 
vessels from tug and barge traffic to recreational vessels traveling 
from Florida to Maine. The Coast Guard will inform unexpected users of 
the waterway through our local and broadcast Notices to Mariners of the 
limited operating schedule for the drawbridge so that vessels can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary 
deviation. In 2011, from January thru March, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., this 
draw opened approximately 35 times per month. The Atlantic Ocean is the 
alternate route for vessels and the bridge will be able to open in the 
event of an emergency.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the draw must return to its 
original 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: December 30 2011.
W.D. Lee,
Rear Admiral, District Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-51 Filed 1-3-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P


