[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]
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