Rules and Regulations. Notice of temporary deviation from regulations and request for comments

Agency: Coast Guard, DHS
Action: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations and request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 04-8865 · RIN 1625-AA09 · CGD05-04-071 · 33 CFR 117

Summary

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to test an alternate drawbridge operation regulation for the Route 70 Bridge across Manasquan River, mile 3.4, at Riviera Beach, New Jersey. Under this temporary 90-day deviation, the draw of the bridge will open on signal on the hour, except that from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day the draw need not be opened. The purpose of this temporary deviation is to test an alternate drawbridge operation schedule for 90 days and solicit comments from the public.

Dates

This deviation is effective from May 1, 2004, through July 29, 2004. Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 31, 2004.

Supplementary Information

Effective on July 11, 2003, the bridge owner, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, was officially permitted to operate the Route 70 Bridge across Manasquan River with new regulations. The new operating regulations listed at 33 CFR 117.727 allows the draw of the bridge to open on signal on the hour, except that from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., every day the draw need not be open. Based on comments received on the new operating regulations of the bridge and in an effort to facilitate vessel and vehicular traffic while providing for the reasonable needs of navigation, the District Commander has offered a test period to reexamine the rush hour closure periods during the forthcoming recreational boating season. The new proposal will test a new rush hour period from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, as opposed to the current 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. regulatory hours. Therefore, the last drawbridge opening for vessels before the rush hour will occur at 4 p.m. and first opening following the rush hour will be at 7 p.m. Under this 90-day temporary deviation, effective from May 1, 2004 through July 29, 2004, the Route 70 Bridge across Manasquan shall open on signal on the hour, except that from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., every day the draw need not be opened. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.43. Dated: April 12, 2004. Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Chief, Bridge Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 04-8865 Filed 4-19-04; 8:45 am]