
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 231 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 86579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28852]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1015]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway 
(NJICW), Point Pleasant Canal, Point Pleasant, 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 S.R. 88/Veterans Memorial Bridge 
across the NJICW (Point Pleasant Canal), mile 3.0, at Point Pleasant, 
NJ. The deviation is necessary to facilitate and complete urgent bridge 
maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position.

DATES: The deviation is effective 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 
to 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-1015] 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6557, email Michael.R.Thorogood@uscg.mil.

SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Jersey Department of Transportation, 
who owns the S.R. 88/Veterans Memorial Bridge, has requested a 
temporary deviation from the current operating schedule is set out in 
33 CFR 117.5, to facilitate replacement of a defective coupling and 
floating shaft of the bridge.
    Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be in the closed-
to-navigation position at 9 p.m. December 7, 2016 to 6 a.m. December 8, 
2016. The bridge is a vertical lift bridge and has a vertical clearance 
in the closed-to-navigation position of 31 feet above mean high water.
    The Point Pleasant Canal is used by a variety of vessels including, 
recreational vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast Guard has 
carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the 
waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels to 
pass in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users 
of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of 
the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel 
operators can arrange their transits 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 28, 2016.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-28852 Filed 11-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


