E6-16316. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Chelsea River, Chelsea and East Boston, MA

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 P.J. McArdle Bridge across the Chelsea River at mile 0.3, between Chelsea and East Boston, Massachusetts. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge may remain in the closed position from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., on October 10, 2006. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Materials referred to in this document are available for inspection or copying at 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. The telephone number is [phone]. The First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch Office maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John McDonald, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The P.J. McArdle Bridge, across the Chelsea River at mile 0.3, between Chelsea and East Boston, Massachusetts, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 21 feet at mean high water and 30 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.593.

The owner of the bridge, the City of Boston, requested a temporary deviation to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance, replacement of gear oil. The bridge will not be able to open while the bridge maintenance is underway.

Under this temporary deviation, the P.J. McArdle Bridge need not open for the passage of vessel traffic between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on October 10, 2006.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible.

Should the bridge maintenance authorized by this temporary deviation be completed before the end of the effective period published in this notice, the Coast Guard will rescind the remainder of this temporary deviation, and the bridge shall be returned to its normal operating schedule. Notice of the above action shall be provided to the public in the Local Notice to Mariners and the Federal Register, where practicable.

This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: September 25, 2006.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.