E8-25520. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hackensack River, Jersey City, NJ, Maintenance

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Witt Penn Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.1, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for one day to facilitate bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-1041 and are available online at www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this proposed rule, call Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone]. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Witt Penn Bridge, across the Hackensack River, mile 3.1, at Jersey City, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 35 feet at mean high water and 40 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.5.

The waterway has seasonal recreational vessels, and commercial vessels of various sizes.

The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation to facilitate the replacement of deflector sheaves at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation the Witt Penn Bridge may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 25, 2008. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: October 16, 2008.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.