2013-29856. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hackensack River, New Jersey

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 regulations governing the operation of the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH), National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) and New Jersey Transit Rail Operation (NJTRO) Railroad Bridges. This deviation allows the PATH Bridge, mile 3.0; Amtrak's Portal Bridge, mile 5.0; and NJTRO's Upper Hack and HX Bridges, miles 6.9 and 7.7, respectively, all across the Hackensack River, NJ to remain closed during the Super Bowl XLVIII weekend to facilitate the movement of more than 150,000 visitors, guests and area residents to various public events and activities in New York and New Jersey.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, through 1 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0982] 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. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140, on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 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 temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, [e-mail], or [phone]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In the closed position the PATH Bridge, mile 3.0, has a vertical clearance of 40 feet at mean high water, and 45 feet at mean low water; AMTRAK Portal Bridge, mile 5.0, has a vertical clearance of 28 feet at mean high water, and 23 feet at mean low water; NJTRO Upper Hack Bridge, mile 6.9, has a vertical clearance of 8 feet at mean high water, and 13 feet at mean low water; NJTRO HX Bridge, mile 7.7, has a vertical clearance of 8 feet at mean high water and 13 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operating regulations for these bridges are found at 33 CFR 117.723.

The bridge owners requested that the bridges not open for marine traffic from 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1 through 1:00 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2014, to facilitate the expected movement of more than 150,000 visitors, guests and area residents to various public events and activities in the New York and New Jersey area during the Super Bowl XLVIII weekend.

Hackensack River is transited primarily by commercial navigation. Bridge owners reported that there were no requests for bridge openings for any of the bridges for the past three years. Vessels that can pass under the closed draws may do so at all times.

Under this temporary deviation the PATH, Portal, Upper Hack and HX bridges may remain closed for marine traffic from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1 through 1:00 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2014.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated deviation period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: December 2, 2013.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.