[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06540]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0110]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack River, Jersey City, 
New Jersey

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 PATH Bridge across the Hackensack 
River, mile 3.0, at Jersey City, New Jersey. This temporary deviation 
is necessary to allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position to facilitate the replacement of rails and timbers across the 
length of the span of the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on March 31, 2018, 
to 12:01 a.m. on September 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0110 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 212-514-4330, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, 
the owner of the bridge, requested a temporary deviation from the 
normal operating schedule to facilitate the replacement of rails and 
timbers across the length of the span of the bridge. The PATH Bridge 
across the Hackensack River, mile 3.0, has a vertical clearance in the 
closed position of 40 feet at mean high water and 45 feet at mean low 
water. The existing bridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.723(b).
    Under this temporary deviation, the PATH Bridge shall remain in the 
closed position between 12:01 a.m. Saturday and 12:01 a.m. Monday as 
follows: March 31-April 2, 2018; April 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30, 
2018; May 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2018; June 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 
and 30-July 2, 2018; July 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30, 2018; August 4-
6, 11-13, 18-20, and 25-27, 2018; September 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 2018.
    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 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 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 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: March 27, 2018.
Christopher J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-06540 Filed 3-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


