
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15557]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0674]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack River, Little Snake 
Hill, 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 Amtrak Portal Bridge across the 
Hackensack River, mile 5.0, at Little Snake Hill, New Jersey. This 
temporary deviation is necessary to allow the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the replacement of miter 
rails and timbers of the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 p.m. on September 8, 2017 to 
5 a.m. on October 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0674 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 Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, telephone (212) 514-4336, email 
Judy.K.Leung-Yee@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Railroad Passenger Corporation 
(Amtrak), the owner of the bridge, requested a temporary deviation from 
the normal operating schedule to facilitate the replacement of miter 
rails and timbers of the bridge. The Amtrak Portal Bridge across the 
Hackensack River, mile 5.0, has a vertical clearance in the closed 
position of 23 feet at mean high water and 28 feet at mean low water. 
The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 
117.723(e).
    Under this temporary deviation, the Amtrak Portal Bridge shall 
remain in the closed position between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Sunday 
as follows: September 8-10, 15-17, 22-24; September 29-October 1, 2017.
    The waterway is transited by commercial and recreational traffic. 
The Coast Guard notified known companies of the commercial vessels that 
transit the area, including the Sandy Hook Pilots and the local tug/tow 
committee; there were no objections to this temporary deviation. 
Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so 
at anytime. 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 inform the users of the waterways through our 
Local Notice and Broadcast to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessel operations 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: July 20, 2017.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-15557 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


