E9-27132. 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 at mile 3.1, across the Hackensack River, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation a two-hour advance notice for bridge opening shall be required at the Witt Penn Bridge to facilitate bridge repairs.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from November 12, 2009 through November 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0952 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2009-0001 in the “Keyword” and then clicking “Search”. They are also available for inspection or copying at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Witt Penn Bridge, across the Hackensack River at mile 3.1 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 117.723.

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 emergency replacement of the crash gates that stop vehicular traffic during bridge openings.

Under this temporary deviation the Witt Penn Bridge, mile 3.1, across the Hackensack River may require a two-hour advance notice for bridge openings from October 21, 2009 through November 21, 2009. 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 23, 2009.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.