
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17201]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0722]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Housatonic River, Stratford, CT

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 Metro-North (Devon) Bridge across 
the Housatonic River, mile 3.9, at Stratford, Connecticut. The 
deviation is necessary to complete repairs to the movable span and 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for approximately 
one month during weekdays and weeknights while opening during weekends 
if provided 24 hours of advance notice.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on September 11, 2017 to 
2 p.m. on October 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0722 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 James M. Moore, Bridge Management 
Specialist, First District Bridge Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 
(212) 514-4334, email James.M.Moore2@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Connecticut Department of 
Transportation, on behalf of Metro-North Railroad, the owner of the 
bridge, requested a temporary deviation in order to facilitate repairs 
to the headblocks in the movable span.
    The Metro-North (Devon) Bridge across the Housatonic River, mile 
3.9 at Stratford, Connecticut offers mariners a vertical clearance of 
19 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water in the closed 
position. Horizontal clearance is 83 feet. The existing drawbridge 
regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.207(b).
    This temporary deviation will allow the draw of the Devon Railroad 
Bridge to remain closed on weekdays on a weekly basis from 8 a.m. 
September 11, 2017 through 2 p.m. October 6, 2017 with openings offered 
on weekends when 24 hours of advance notice is provided.
    Under this temporary deviation the Metro-North (Devon) Bridge will 
operate as follows:
    a. The draw will remain closed for all vessels that would otherwise 
require and opening from 8 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017, through 
2 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2017. This closure will repeat Monday 
through Friday of each week until October 6, 2017.
    b. The draw will open on 24 hours advance notice for all vessels 
requiring such an opening from 2 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017 
through 8 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017, and repeat each Friday 
through Monday of each weekend until October 2, 2017.
    The waterway is largely transited by seasonal recreational traffic. 
Vessels able to pass through 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 waterway users through our Local and Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge 
so vessel operators are allowed the opportunity to arrange their 
transits so as 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: August 10, 2017.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-17201 Filed 8-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


