2012-18345. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW); Atlantic City, NJ

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare, NJICW mile 67.2 and the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) across Inside Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, both at Atlantic City, NJ. The deviation is necessary to ensure the safety of the heavy volumes of vehicular traffic that would be transiting over the bridges for the annual Air Show at Bader Field located within the city limits. This deviation allows the drawbridges to remain closed to navigation to accommodate the free movement of vehicles for the 2012 Air Show.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday August 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0611 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2012-0611 in the “Keyword” box and then clicking “Search”. 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 email Terrance Knowles, Environmental Protection Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District; telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The New Jersey Department of Transportation requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations of the Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare, NJICW mile 67.2 and the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) across Inside Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, both at Atlantic City, NJ. The temporary deviation has been requested to ensure the safety of the heavy volumes of vehicular traffic that would be transiting over the bridges for the annual Air Show at Bader Field located within the city limits. The specific operating requirements for these drawbridges are normally planned for the third or fourth Wednesday of August, of every year. However, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the 2012 Air Show and to accommodate for a larger crowd, Atlantic City—the host city, requested to reschedule the event to Friday, August 17, 2012. Under this temporary deviation, on Friday, August 17, 2012, the draws for both bridges will open every two hours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.; and need not open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge

The current operating regulation for the Route 30/Absecon Boulevard Bridge across Beach Thorofare is outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(e) which requires that the bridge shall open on signal if at least four hours of notice is given; except that from April 1 through October 31, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., the draw need only open on the hour; on July 4, the draw need not open from 9:40 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. to accommodate the annual July 4th fireworks show. Should inclement weather prevent the fireworks event from taking place as planned, the draw need not open from 9:40 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. on July 5th to accommodate the annual July 4th fireworks show; on the third or fourth Wednesday of August the draw will open every two hours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and need not open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. to accommodate the annual Air Show. In the closed position to vessels, the vertical clearance for this bascule-type bridge is 20 feet above mean high water.

US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge

The current operating regulation for the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside Thorofare is outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(f) shall open on signal except that year-round, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.; and from November 1 through March 31 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., the draw need only open if at least four hours notice is given; from June 1 through September 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the draw need only open on the hour and half hour; and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the draw need not open; on July 4, the draw need not open from 9:40 p.m. until 11:15 p.m., to accommodate the annual July 4th fireworks show. Should inclement weather prevent the fireworks event from taking place as planned, the draw need not open from 9:40 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. on July 5th to accommodate the annual July 4th fireworks show; and on the third or fourth Wednesday of August, the draw will open every two hours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and need not open from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. to accommodate the annual Air Show. In the closed position to vessels, the vertical clearance for this bascule-type bridge is 10 feet above mean high water.

The majority of the vessels that transit the bridges this time of the year are recreational boats. Vessels able to pass through the bridges in the closed positions may do so at anytime. Both bridges will be able to open for emergencies. The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridges in closed positions. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure periods for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

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

Dated: July 18, 2012.

Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.