E9-12784. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Raritan River, Perth Amboy, NJ

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 regulations governing the operation of the NJTRO Bridge, across the Raritan River, mile 0.5, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation the draw may remain in the closed position for seven hours on two days to facilitate rail maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without an opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 9 a.m. on June 12, 2009 through 4 p.m. on June 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0376 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, selecting the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0376 in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in the Docket ID column. This material is 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 e-mail Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone] [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operation, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The NJTRO Bridge, across the Raritan River, mile 0.5, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 8 feet at mean high water and 13 feet at mean low water. The existing regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.747.

The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJTRO), requested a temporary deviation to facilitate scheduled rail maintenance at the bridge.

In order to perform the bridge maintenance the bridge must remain in the closed position.

Under this temporary deviation the NJTRO Bridge across the Raritan River, mile 0.5, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, need not open for the passage of vessel traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on June 12 and June 15, 2009. In the event inclement weather prevents the bridge maintenance from being performed on the above dates then work may be performed on either June 19 or June 23, 2009.

Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

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: May 13, 2009.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.