[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33222]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD05-98-101]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; New Jersey Intracoastal
Waterway; Cape May Canal
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the
Cape May Canal Railroad Bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW),
mile 115.1, in Cape May, New Jersey. From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., December
16, 17, and 18, 1998, the bridge will be maintained in the closed
position. This closure is necessary to facilitate the ongoing
reconstruction of the bridge's swing span.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day on
December 16, 17, and 18, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at
(757) 398-6222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cape May Canal Railroad Bridge is owned
by New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT). The current regulations in
Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 117.41 require the draw
be maintained in the fully open position to permit the passage of
vessels and drawtender service discontinued. The draw shall remain in
the fully open position until drawtender service is restored or
authorization under Section 117.39 is given for the draw to remain
closed and untended.
Under an agreement with NJT and Cape May Seashore Lines, Inc.,
(CMSL), CMSL would be responsible for reactivation of the rail service,
the operation of the drawbridge and the bridge accessories. In December
1997, the Coast Guard approved the reconstruction of the bridge for
mechanical, electrical and structural repairs. On November 13, 1998,
the Coast Guard received a request from CMSL to schedule daytime
closures of the bridge to facilitate the ongoing reconstruction of the
drawbridge. No openings were logged, since the bridge has been
maintained in the fully open position to vessels since the late 1970's.
The Coast Guard has advised the local Coast Guard units (USCG Group
Atlantic City and Station Cape May) of the bridge's inability to open
for vessels on the requested times and dates, and they did not object.
CMSL has ensured that advance notification of the scheduled closures
will be posted in the Atlantic City Press Cape May Edition,
Additionally, the Coast Guard will inform the commercial/recreational
users of the waterway of the bridge closures in the weekly Notice to
Mariners so that these vessels can arrange their transits to avoid
being negatively impacted by the temporary deviation.
From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., on 16, 17, and 18, December 1998, this
deviation allows the Cape May Canal Railroad Bridge, ICW mile 115.1 in
Cape May to remain closed.
Dated: December 4, 1998.
Thomas E. Bernard,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Fifth Coast Guard District, Acting District
Commander.
[FR Doc. 98-33222 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
