[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31373]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-98-097]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; New Jersey Intracoastal 
Waterway; Grassy Sound Channel

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Route 47 (George A. Reading) Bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway 
(ICW), mile 108.9, in Wildwood, New Jersey. Beginning at 7 a.m. on 
December 4, through 7 a.m. on December 6, 1998, the bridge will be 
maintained in the closed position. This closure is necessary to 
facilitate demolition and reconstruction of the bridge's bascule span.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on December 4, 1998 
until 7 a.m. on December 6, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at 
(757) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 9, 1998, the Coast Guard 
published a Temporary Final Rule entitled ``Drawbridge Operation 
Regulations; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway; Grassy Sound Channel'' 
in the Federal Register (63 FR 54353). That regulation, effective from 
October 19, 1998 to 5 p.m. on May 14, 1999, requires two-hours advance 
notice for bridge openings 24 hours a day to allow the contractor to 
facilitate sandblasting and painting operations.
    On November 4, 1998, a letter was forwarded to the Coast Guard by 
the contractor requesting a temporary deviation from the current 
operation of the bridge. The proposed bridge work will involve the 
demolition and reconstruction of the bridge deck and superstructure, 
thereby immobilizing the operation of the bascule span entirely. 
Additionally, tugboats, cranes, and barges positioned at the site may 
impede vessel traffic that could pass under the bridge.
    The Coast Guard has informed the known commercial users of the 
waterway of the bridge closure so that these vessels can arrange their 
transits to avoid being negatively impacted by the temporary deviation.
    From 7 a.m. on December 4, until 7 a.m. on December 6, 1998, this 
deviation allows the Route 47 (George A. Reading) Bridge across Grassy 
Sound Channel, ICW mile 108.9 at Wildwood, to remain closed.

    Dated: November 13, 1998.
Roger T. Rufe, Jr.,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-31373 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am]
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