00-5959. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Darby Creek, Pennsylvania

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the CONRAIL Railroad Bridge across Darby Creek, mile 0.3, in Essington, Pennsylvania. Beginning at 7 a.m. on March 20, through 5 p.m. on April 3, 2000, the bridge may remain in the closed position. This closure is necessary to conduct the installation of a new bridge control house.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 20 until 5 p.m. on April 3, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Coast Guard received a letter from the Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL) on February 22, 2000, requesting a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule of the Darby Creek bridge set out in 33 CFR 117.903. CONRAIL intends to install a new bridge control house. To facilitate the installation, disassembly of the machinery including electrical and mechanical components of the bridge will be performed. This work requires completely immobilizing the operation of the bascule span. In the event of an emergency, openings of the span will be provided as quickly as possible, but may take two hours or longer to accomplish. Requests for emergency openings can be made by contacting Conrail's resident engineer at [phone].

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, the District Commander approved Conrail's request for a temporary deviation from the governing regulations in a letter dated February 25, 2000.

The Coast Guard has informed the known commercial users of the waterway of the bridge closure so that these vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

The temporary deviation allows the CONRAIL Railroad Bridge across Darby Creek, mile 0.3, in Essington, Pennsylvania to remain closed from 7 a.m. on March 20, until 5 p.m. on April 3, 2000.

Dated: March 3, 2000.

James W. Underwood,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.