2018-06540. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack River, Jersey City, New Jersey

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 PATH Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.0, at Jersey City, New Jersey. This temporary deviation is necessary to allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the replacement of rails and timbers across the length of the span of the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on March 31, 2018, to 12:01 a.m. on September 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0110 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 Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, the owner of the bridge, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to facilitate the replacement of rails and timbers across the length of the span of the bridge. The PATH Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.0, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 40 feet at mean high water and 45 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.723(b).

Under this temporary deviation, the PATH Bridge shall remain in the closed position between 12:01 a.m. Saturday and 12:01 a.m. Monday as follows: March 31-April 2, 2018; April 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30, 2018; May 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2018; June 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, and 30-July 2, 2018; July 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30, 2018; August 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, and 25-27, 2018; September 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 2018.

The waterway is transited by commercial and recreational traffic. The Coast Guard notified known companies of the commercial vessels that transit the area, including the Sandy Hook Pilots and the local Tug/Tow Committee; there were no objections to this temporary deviation. Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices 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: March 27, 2018.

Christopher J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.