
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22774]



[[Page 57022]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0854]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Shark River, Avon, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the operation of the draws of three 
bridges which operate as one unit, specifically, the S71 bridge, mile 
0.8, the railroad bridge, mile 0.9, and the S35 bridge, mile 0.9, all 
of which are across the Shark River (South Channel), at Avon Township, 
NJ. This deviation is necessary to facilitate stringer replacement on 
the Shark River railroad bridge. This temporary deviation will allow 
the drawbridges, which operate in unison, to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position on specific dates and times.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 p.m. September 21, 2012 
until 6:00 a.m. on September 24, 2012 and from 10 p.m. September 28, 
2012 until 6:00 a.m. October 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket USCG-2012-0854 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0854 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. Jim Rousseau, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth 
Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6557, email 
James.L.Rousseau2@uscg.mil. If you have questions on reviewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 202-
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Jersey Transit, owner and operator 
of the Shark River Railroad Bridge across the Shark River (South 
Channel), mile 0.9, at Avon, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation 
from the current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.751, to 
accommodate stringer replacement for the Shark River Bridge.
    The Shark River Railroad Bridge across the Shark River, mile 0.9, 
is a bascule lift Bridge, in Avon Township, NJ, and has a vertical 
clearance in the closed position of 10 feet, above mean high water.
    Because the draw of the Shark River bridge operates in unison with 
the S71 bridge, mile 0.8, and the S35 bridge, mile 0.9, all across 
Shark River at Avon Township, NJ, the draws of these two bridges will 
also be restricted under this deviation. These bridges are also bascule 
lift bridges and have a vertical clearance of 13 and 10 feet 
respectively.
    The current schedule the Shark River Railroad Bascule Bridge 
operating regulations are set out in 33 CFR 117.751. Under normal 
operating conditions, the draws of S71 bridge, mile 0.8, the railroad 
bridge, mile 0.9, and the S35 bridge, mile 0.9, all at Avon, operate as 
one unit.
    Under this temporary deviation, the above mentioned drawbridges 
will be allowed to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for the 
half hour opening requests and only open on the hour from 11:00 p.m. 
Friday September 21, 2012 to 6:00 a.m. on Monday September 24, 2012 and 
Friday September 28, 2012 to 6:00 a.m. on Monday October 1, 2012 to 
accommodate stringer replacement.
    Vessels able to pass under the spans when closed may transit under 
the drawbridges while they are in the closed position. Mariners are 
advised to proceed with caution. The Coast Guard will inform mariners 
and other users of the waterway through local broadcast Notices to 
Mariners. These broadcasts will include information of the limited 
operating schedule for the drawbridge so that vessels can rearrange 
their transit in order to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary 
deviation. There are no alternate routes 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 drawbridge 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: September 6, 2012.
G.D. Case,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2012-22774 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


