[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06811]



[[Page 14367]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0271]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Barnegat Bay, New Jersey 
Intracoastal Waterway, Seaside Heights, 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 U.S. Route 37 (Mathis) Bridge 
across the Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, mile 14.1, 
at Seaside Heights, NJ. The deviation is necessary to facilitate 
routine maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from April 4, 
2018 through 8 p.m. on April 16, 2018. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2018 until April 
4, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0271] 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. Mickey Sanders, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6587, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The New Jersey Department of Transportation, 
owner and operator of the U.S. Route 37 (Mathis) Bridge across the 
Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, mile 14.1, at Seaside 
Heights, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating schedule to accommodate routine maintenance. Under this 
temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-
navigation position from 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2018, to 8 p.m. on 
April 16, 2018. The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 
117.733(c).
    The Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway is used by a 
variety of vessels including small commercial vessels, recreational 
vessels and tug and barge traffic. The Coast Guard has carefully 
considered the restrictions with waterway users in publishing this 
temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through 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 unable to pass 
through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also 
inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast 
Notice 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 this temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of this effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 30, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-06811 Filed 4-3-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


