2011-31329. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hutchinson River, Bronx, NY

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 regulation governing the operation of the Amtrak Pelham Bay Railroad Bridge at mile 0.5, across the Hutchinson River at the Bronx, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled maintenance at the bridge, pinion shaft bushing replacement. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for four days.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 4 a.m. on December 2, 2011 through 4 a.m. on December 12, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1037 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-1037 in the “Keyword” and then clicking “Search”. They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 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 rule, call or email Mr. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, [e-mail], or telephone [phone]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Amtrak Pelham Bay Railroad Bridge, across the Hutchinson River at mile 0.5, at the Bronx, New York, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8 feet at mean high water and 15 feet at mean low water. The drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.5 and 33 CFR 117.793.

The waterway users are mostly commercial operators. The owner of the bridge, National Railroad Passenger Company (Amtrak), requested a temporary deviation from the regulations to facilitate scheduled maintenance, replace pinion shaft bushings, at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation the Amtrak Pelham Bay Railroad Bridge may remain in the closed position from 10 p.m. on December 2, 2011 through 4 a.m. on December 5, 2011. In the event of inclement weather the bridge closure rain date will be from 10 p.m. on December 9, 2011 through 4 a.m. on December 12, 2011.

The commercial users were notified. No objections were received.

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

Dated: November 16, 2011.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.