[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24376]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0991]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack River, Jersey City, 
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 Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) 
Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 1.8, at Jersey City, New 
Jersey. The deviation is necessary to restrict bridge openings during 
the morning and afternoon rush hour periods to alleviate vehicular 
traffic congestion resulting from area roadway closures.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on November 13, 2017 
until 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0991, 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 K. Leung-Yee, Bridge Management 
Specialist, First District Bridge Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 
212-514-4336, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The owner of the bridge, the New Jersey 
Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation in order 
to complete rehabilitation of the adjacent Pulaski Skyway Bridge. The 
Route 1 & 9 Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 1.8, at Jersey 
City, New Jersey is a vertical lift bridge with a vertical clearance of 
35 feet at mean high water and 40 feet at mean low water in the closed 
position. The existing drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 
33 CFR 117.5.
    On September 9, 2016, the Coast Guard published a temporary final 
rule entitled, ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln 
Highway) Bridge, Hackensack River, Jersey City, NJ,'' under docket 
number USCG-2016-0173, in the Federal Register (81 FR 62366). Under the 
temporary final rule, from October 11, 2016 to September 30, 2017, the 
bridge was authorized not to open to vessel traffic between 6 a.m. and 
10 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and tide dependent deep draft 
vessels could provide twelve hours advance notice for a bridge opening 
during rush hours.
    Due to unanticipated project delays, the New Jersey Department of 
Transportation has requested to continue to restrict the bridge opening 
of the Route 1 & 9 Bridge allowing for completion of adjacent Pulaski 
Skyway bridge rehabilitation.
    This temporary deviation will allow the Route 1 & 9 Bridge to open 
on signal from November 13, 2017 to April 1, 2017, except that the draw 
will not open to vessel traffic between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 
2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Tide 
dependent deep draft vessels may request bridge openings during the 
rush hour closure periods, provided that at least a twelve hour advance 
notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge. The 
waterway is transited by recreational vessels and commercial vessels. 
Coordination with waterway users has indicated no objections to the 
proposed closure of the draw. Vessels able to pass through the bridge 
in the closed position may do so at anytime. The bridge will be able to 
open for emergencies. There is no 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 vessel operators may 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 6, 2017.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-24376 Filed 11-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


