[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3461-3462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1576]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD7-96-069]
RIN 2115-AE47
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; St. Johns River, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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[[Page 3462]]
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is hereby providing notice that the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been granted permission to
temporarily deviate from the regulations governing the operation of the
Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the St. Johns
River, located in the City of Jacksonville from Friday November 8,
1996, through Friday, February 7, 1997, for the purpose of evaluating
the reasonableness of possible changes to the permanent regulations.
This deviation authorizes the draws of the Fuller Warren Bridge to
remain closed for longer periods during the morning and afternoon
weekday highway commuter periods. In addition, the Fuller Warren Bridge
is allowed to open only once per hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays
except Federal holidays. This test will help determine whether the
revised opening schedule will improve the flow of highway traffic
without unreasonably impacting navigation.
DATES: The deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through
February 7, 1997. Comments must be received on or before February 7,
1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast
Guard District, 909 SE 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. The
comments and other materials referenced in this notice will be
available for inspection and copying at the above address. Normal
office hours are between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. Comments may also be hand-delivered to the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary D. Pruitt, Project Officer,
Seventh Coast Guard District, Aids to Navigation, at (305) 536-7331.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the
Fuller Warren Drawbridge operated by the State of Florida by submitting
written data, view or arguments to the address above. Persons
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify
this notice [CGD7-96-069] and give the specific provision to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Persons wanting
acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period and determine whether to initiate a rulemaking to
propose a permanent change to the drawbridge operating schedule.
Persons may submit comments by writing to the Commander Seventh Coast
Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.
Background and Purpose
The Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the
St. Johns River, located in the City of Jacksonville, Florida has a
vertical clearance, in the closed position, of 44 feet above mean high
water and 45 feet above mean low water (MLW). On November 6, 1996 FDOT
requested a deviation from the current operating schedule in 33 CFR
117.325 in order to reduce the number of drawbridge openings that would
impact the heavy volumes of highway traffic being experienced on I95.
The traffic volume has doubled on this interstate highway system since
1991, reducing the Level of Service (LOS) to LOS E during weekdays.
This temporary deviation to the operating regulations for the Fuller
Warren Drawbridge, owned and operated by the FDOT, increases the
morning and afternoon closed periods and authorizes hourly openings
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. This deviation is intended to reduce
highway delays. However, due to strong river currents and difficult
maneuvering characteristics, tugs with tows are exempted from these
restrictions. Other vessels using this reach of the St. Johns River
have adequate maneuvering room to wait the hourly openings and should
not be unreasonably impacted by this deviation.
The Coast Guard has granted the Florida Department of
Transportation a temporary deviation from the operating regulations
outlined in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.325
governing the Fuller Warren Drawbridge located across the St. Johns
River. This deviation from normal operating regulations is authorized
in accordance with the provisions of Title 33, Code of Federal
Regulations, Sec. 117.43 for the purpose of evaluating a possible
change to the permanent regulations. Under this deviation, the Fuller
Warren Drawbridge operated by the FDOT shall open on signal; except
that, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays from 7 a.m. to 6
p.m. the draw need not open except on the hour. However, the draw need
not open between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday
through Friday except Federal holidays. Tugs with tows shall be passed
at any time except during the authorized weekday closures from 7 a.m.
to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The bridge shall open at any time
for vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or
property.
This period of deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through
February 7, 1997.
Dated: December 27, 1996.
R.C. Olsen, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Seventh Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 97-1576 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
