2016-29732. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Connecticut River, East Haddam, CT

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 Route 82 Bridge across the Connecticut River, mile 16.8, at East Haddam, Connecticut. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform emergency repairs at the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to be opened with a 15 minute advance notice during the hours of 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. on December 20, 2016 and December 27, 2016.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on December 20, 2016 to 5 p.m. on December 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-1037] 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 Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Route 82 Bridge, mile 16.8, across the Connecticut River, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 22 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.205(c).

The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational traffic and some commercial barge traffic of various sizes.

The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to perform emergency repairs at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation, the Route 82 Bridge shall open on signal on December 20, 2016 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on December 27, 2016 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. if at least 15 minutes advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local Notice and Broadcast to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operations 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: December 7, 2016.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.