Rules and Regulations. Notice of temporary deviation from regulations

Agency: Coast Guard, DHS
Action: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations
Citation: FR Doc. 2013-09551 · USCG-2013-0229 · 33 CFR 117

Summary

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge painting operations. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge may remain in the closed position for various times up to six days at a time during a four month period.

Dates

This deviation is effective from May 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

Supplementary Information

The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge has a vertical clearance of 26 feet at mean high water and 31 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing drawbridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.801(g). The bridge owner, New York City Department of Transportation, requested multiple six day closure periods between May 1, 2013 and September 30, 2013, to facilitate bridge painting operation at the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge. Each six day closure period will be followed with four days of normal bridge operations. The exact time and dates of each six day closure period will be announced in the Local Notice to Mariners and also with a Broadcast Notice to Mariners at least two weeks in advance of each closure period. This temporary deviation will be in effect from May 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013. The waterway users are commercial oil and barge vessels. The oil facilities were all contacted and advised of the closures and no objections were received. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated repair period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. Dated: April 10, 2013. Gary Kassof, Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2013-09551 Filed 4-22-13; 8:45 am]