Rules and Regulations. Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations

Agency: Coast Guard, DHS
Action: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations
Citation: FR Doc. 2014-16842 · Docket No. USCG-2014-0570 · 33 CFR 117

Summary

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Metro North WALK Bridge across the Norwalk River, mile 0.1, at Norwalk, Connecticut. The deviation is necessary to facilitate necessary maintenance and repairs to the electrical and mechanical operating systems at the bridge. This temporary deviation authorizes the bridge to open after an eight-hour advance notice is given under a revised operating schedule.

Dates

This deviation is effective without actual notice from July 17, 2014 through December 30, 2014. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used on July 4, 2014, until July 17, 2014.

Supplementary Information

The Metro North WALK Bridge, mile 0.1, across the Norwalk River at Norwalk, Connecticut, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 16 feet at mean high water and 23 feet at mean low water. The drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.217(b). The waterway users are seasonal recreational vessels and commercial vessels of various sizes. The owner of the bridge, Connecticut Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation from the regulations from July 4, 2014 through December 30, 2014, to allow the bridge to open after an eight-hour advance notice is given to help facilitate necessary electrical and mechanical maintenance and repairs at the bridge. The Coast Guard will work with Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro North to develop a long term repair schedule during this initial temporary deviation time period. Under this temporary deviation, in effect from July 4, 2014 through December 30, 2014, the Metro North WALK Bridge at mile 0.1, across the Norwalk River, at Norwalk, Connecticut shall open after at least an eight-hour advance notice is given as follows: (1) From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a maximum of one opening each day Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. (2) From 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., a maximum of two openings each night, starting on Monday at 9 p.m. through Friday at 3 a.m. including holidays. (3) From 9 p.m. Fridays to 3 a.m. Mondays, including holidays. (4) For emergencies only at all other times. (5) A delay of up to 20 minutes may be expected if a train is approaching so closely that it may not be safely stopped. Vessels that can pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. There are no alternate routes. The bridge can open in the event of an emergency situation. Vessel operators will be notified of these changes to the bridge operating schedule through a Local Notice to Mariners publication and a Safety Marine Information Broadcast (SMIB) issued by the Coast Guard so that vessels can 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: July 1, 2014. Linda L. Fagan, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2014-16842 Filed 7-16-14; 8:45 am]