
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3836-3837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00887]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-1089]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Shark River, Avon, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the draws of two bridges which operate 
as one unit, specifically, the S71 bridge, mile 0.8 and the railroad 
bridge, mile 0.9 both of which are across the Shark River (South 
Channel), at Avon Township, NJ. This deviation is necessary to 
facilitate machinery 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 12:01 a.m. February 25, 2013, 
until 12:01 a.m. on March 6, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket, USCG-2012-1089, for this temporary deviation is 
available online; go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket 
number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``Search,'' and then click on 
``Open Docket Folder'' next to the item listing this notice of 
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. Jim Rousseau, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; 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 machinery replacement for the Shark River Bridge.

[[Page 3837]]

    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 8 feet, above mean high water.
    Because the draw of the Shark River Bridge operates in unison with 
the S71 Bridge, mile 0.8 across Shark River at Avon Township, NJ, the 
draw of the S71 Bridge will also be restricted under this deviation. 
The S71 Bridge is also a bascule lift bridge and has a vertical 
clearance of 13 feet.
    The current schedules for both 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 and the 
railroad bridge, mile 0.9, both at Avon, operate as one unit.
    To facilitate machinery replacement, the above mentioned 
drawbridges will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position 
from 12:01 a.m. Monday February 25, 2013, to 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday 
March 6, 2013. The bridges normally open several times a day for 
transiting vessels. Coordination with the waterway users has been 
completed.
    The Coast Guard will inform all users of the waterway through our 
Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the closure periods for the 
bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any 
impacts caused by the temporary deviation. 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. 
There are no alternate routes for vessels and the bridge will not 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 3, 2013.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-00887 Filed 1-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


