2018-24511. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Delaware River, Tacony, PA and Palmyra, NJ

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the SR 73/Tacony-Palmyra Bridge which carries SR 73 across the Delaware River, mile 107.2, between Tacony, PA and Palmyra, NJ. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES:

The deviation is effective from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. on November 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0975 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. Michael Thorogood, Bridge Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Burlington County Bridge Commission, owner and operator of the SR 73/Tacony-Palmyra Bridge which carries SR 73 across the Delaware River, mile 107.2, between Tacony, PA and Palmyra, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to facilitate installation of a replacement electrical festoon control cable of the double bascule span of the drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 50 feet above mean high water in the closed position and unlimited vertical clearance above mean high water in the open position.

The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.716. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. on November 20, 2018.

The Delaware River is used by a variety of vessels including deep draft commercial vessels, U.S. government and public vessels, small commercial vessels, tug and barge traffic, and recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with waterway users in publishing this temporary deviation.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local Notice and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators 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 31, 2018.

Hal R. Pitts,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.