2015-31842. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Cheesequake Creek, Morgan, 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 New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJTRO) Morgan railroad bridge across Cheesequake Creek, mile 0.2, at Morgan, New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform structural repairs at the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed on six consecutive weekends.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Saturday, January 9 to 7 p.m. February 28, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-1070] 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. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The NJTRO Morgan railroad bridge across Cheesequake Creek, mile 0.2, at Morgan, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 3 feet at mean high water and 8 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.709(b).

The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational vessels of various sizes.

The bridge owner, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to facilitate structural repairs at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation, the NJTRO Morgan railroad bridge shall remain in the closed position for six consecutive weekends from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 7 p.m. on Sunday on the following dates: January 9 and 10; January 23 and 24; January 30 and 31; February 6 and 7; February 20 and 21; and February 27 and 28, 2016.

The draw shall maintain its normal operating schedule at all other times.

There are no alternate routes for vessel traffic; however, vessels that can pass under the closed draws during this closure may do so at all times. The bridge may be opened in the event of an emergency.

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 15, 2015.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.