[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8860-8861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03307]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2014-0047]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the operation of the Cape Fear River
Memorial Bridge, across the Cape Fear River, mile 26.8, at Wilmington,
NC. The deviation is necessary to restrict the operation of the draw
span to facilitate the biannual inspections.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on March 17, 2014 until
4 p.m. on March 28, 2014.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0047] 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. You may also visit the Docket
Management
[[Page 8861]]
Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of
Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, Bridge
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-
6557, email [email protected]. If you have questions on
reviewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of
Transportation, who owns and operates this vertical lift bridge, has
requested a temporary deviation to conduct the biannual inspections.
The existing drawbridge operation regulation for the Cape Fear
River Memorial Bridge is listed in 33 CFR 117.822. The regulation
allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation once in both July and
November to accommodate annual marathon races. The drawbridge opens on
demand at all other times.
Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be closed to
navigation beginning each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on March 17, 2014
until March 28, 2014; however, vessel openings will be provided if at
least two hours advance notice is given. At all other times, the
drawbridge will operate under its normal schedule.
The Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge, at mile 26.8, at Wilmington,
NC, has vertical clearances in the open and closed positions of 135
feet and 65 feet above mean high water, respectively. Typical vessel
traffic on the Cape Fear River includes a variety of vessels from
freighters, tug and barge traffic, and recreational vessels. Vessels
that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may continue to
do so at anytime. There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting
this section of the Cape Fear River. The drawbridge will be able to
open in the event of an emergency. The Coast Guard has carefully
coordinated the restrictions with commercial and recreational waterway
users. The Coast Guard will inform all users of the waterway through
our Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners of the closure periods for
the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any
impacts 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: February 6, 2014.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-03307 Filed 2-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P