
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 79393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27281]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1008]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Great Channel, New Jersey 
Intracoastal Waterway, Stone Harbor, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Stone Harbor Boulevard (CR657) 
Bridge across the Great Channel, mile 102.0, New Jersey Intracoastal 
Waterway, at Stone Harbor, NJ. This deviation is necessary to avoid 
bridge failure and perform emergency bridge repairs. This deviation 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from November 
14, 2016 through 4 p.m. on December 2, 2016. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from November 8, 2016, until 
November 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-1008] 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The County of Cape May, NJ, that owns and 
operates the Stone Harbor Boulevard (CR657) Bridge across the Great 
Channel, mile 102.0, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, at Stone Harbor, 
NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulations to avoid bridge failure and perform emergency repairs to 
the bridge, due to a serious crack in one of two main bridge girders, 
causing the bridge to be unsafe for vehicular traffic and movement of 
the bascule spans. The bridge is a bascule drawbridge and has a 
vertical clearance in the closed position of 10 feet above mean high 
water.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.733(h). 
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-
to-navigation position until 4 p.m. on December 2, 2016.
    The Great Channel, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway is used by a 
variety of vessels including small public vessels, small commercial 
vessels, tug and barge traffic, and recreational vessels. The Coast 
Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic 
on the waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to safely pass through the bridge in the closed 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways 
through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in 
operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange 
their transit to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    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: November 8, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-27281 Filed 11-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


