[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2982]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD05-98-001]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
NC
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the
Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
(AICW), mile 240.7, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Beginning at 7
a.m. on February 2, through 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998, the bridge will
be maintained in the closed position. This closure is necessary to
facilitate extensive repairs and maintain the bridge's operational
integrity.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on February 2, 1998,
until 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at
(757) 398-6222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Onslow Beach Swing Bridge and adjoining
property are part of the Marine Corps Base (USMC) at Camp Lejeune
military reservation, located adjacent to Jacksonville, North Carolina.
On December 11, 1997, a letter was forwarded to the Coast Guard by the
USMC requesting a temporary deviation from the normal operation of the
bridge. The current regulations in Title 33 Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 117.5, require the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge to
open on signal at all times.
The USMC has hired contractors to replace the submarine cable at
the bridge that was unintentionally cut in May 1997, and to make
various additional repairs to eliminate mechanical and operational
problems the bridge has experienced since January 1997. The bridge
repairs will immobilize operation of the swing bridge entirely,
including the backup system which uses hydraulic components typically
used when the electrical systems are non-operational. Additionally, tug
boats, cranes, and barges positioned at the site may impede vessel
traffic that could pass under the bridge.
In the winter months, the AICW is primarily used by commercial
light-draft vessels and tows unable to navigate long stretches in the
open ocean. Based on bridge logs from 1993 through 1997 for the month
of February, the bridge averaged approximately five openings per day
for vessels. The USMC will provide wide dissemination of notification
to the public, and the Coast Guard has informed the known commercial
users of the AICW of the bridge closure so that these vessels can
arrange their transits to avoid being negatively impacted by the
temporary deviation.
From 7 a.m. on February 2, until 7 a.m. on February 5, 1998, this
deviation allows the Onslow Beach Swing Bridge across the AICW to
remain closed.
Dated: January 16, 1998.
J. Carmichael,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 98-2982 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
