2015-26609. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Arthur Kill, Staten Island, New York

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Arthur Kill (AK) Railroad Bridge across Arthur Kill, mile 11.6, between Staten Island, New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position to facilitate scheduled maintenance. This deviation is necessary to facilitate tie and miter rail replacement on the lift span.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on October 23, 2015 to 2:48 p.m. on December 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0925] is available at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH”. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The AK Railroad Bridge, across Arthur Kill, mile 11.6, between Staten Island, New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 31 feet at MHW and 35 feet at MLW. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.702.

The waterway supports both commercial and recreational navigation of various vessel sizes. The operator of the bridge, Conrail, requested a temporary deviation to facilitate scheduled maintenance, tie and miter rail replacement at the bridge. The bridge must remain in the closed position to perform this maintenance.

Under this temporary deviation the draw may remain in the closed position as follows:

On October 23, 2015 from 6 a.m. to 10:26 a.m. and from 12:26 p.m. to 4:11 p.m.

On October 24, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. and from 1:32 p.m. to 5:13 p.m.

On October 25, 2015 from 7:46 a.m. to 12:17 p.m. and from 2:17 p.m. to 6:09 p.m.

On October 30, 2015 from 5:51 a.m. to 9:58 a.m. and from 11:58 a.m. to 4:36 p.m.

On October 31, 2015 from 6:41 a.m. to 10:56 a.m. and from 12:56 p.m. to 5:28 p.m.

On November 1, 2015 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:54 a.m. and from 12:54 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.

On November 6, 2015, 5:17 a.m. to 9:28 a.m. and from 11:28 a.m. to 3:32 p.m.

On November 7, 2015, from 6:07 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and from 12:15 p.m. to 4:21 p.m.

On November 8, 2015 from 6:51 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:06 p.m.

On November 13, 2015, from 3:49 a.m. to 7:40 a.m., from 9:40 a.m. to 2:28 p.m., and from 4:28 p.m. to 8:04 p.m.

On November 14, 2015, from 4:24 a.m. to 8:11 a.m. and from 10:11 a.m. to 3:07 p.m.

On November 15, 2015, from 4:59 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and from 10:50 a.m. to 3:48 p.m.

On November 20, 2015 from 3:24 a.m. to 8:07 a.m., from 10:07 a.m. to 1:42 p.m., and from 3:42 p.m. to 8:36 p.m.

On November 21, 2015 from 4:27 a.m. to 9:09 a.m. and from 11:09 a.m. to 2:49 p.m.

On November 22, 2015 from 5:29 a.m. to 10:06 a.m. and from 12:06 p.m. to 3:53 p.m.

On December 4, 2015 from 3:07 a.m. to 7:23 a.m., from 9:23 a.m. to 1:14 p.m., and from 3:14 p.m. to 7:54 p.m.

On December 5, 2015 from 3:54 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and from 10:20 a.m. to 2:06 p.m.

On December 6, 2015 from 4:48 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. and from 11:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On December 11, 2015 from 2:45 a.m. to 6:44 a.m., from 8:44 a.m. to 1:26 p.m., and from 3:26 p.m. to 7:08 p.m.

On December 12, 2015 from 3:26 a.m. to 7:17 a.m. and from 9:17 a.m. to 2:07 p.m.

On December 13, 2015 from 4:06 a.m. to 7:54 a.m. and from 9:54 a.m. to 2:48 p.m.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may do so at anytime.

There are no alternate routes for vessel traffic. The bridge can be opened in an emergency.

The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge 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: October 7, 2015.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.