Drawbridge operations: New Jersey,

[Federal Register: November 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 226)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 64868]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24no98-22]

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.

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. 98-31373Filed11-23-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-15-M