2016-16187. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Housatonic River, Stratford, CT

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 Metro-North Devon Bridge across the Housatonic River, mile 3.9, at Stratford, Connecticut. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform timber ties replacement and steel repairs at the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on September 6, 2016 to 8 a.m. on September 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0633] 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 Metro-North Devon Bridge, mile 3.9, across the Housatonic River, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 19 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.207(b).

The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational vessels.

The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to perform timber ties replacement and steel repairs at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation, the Metro-North Devon Bridge will operate according to the schedule below:

a. From 8 a.m. on September 6, 2016 through 4 a.m. on September 9, 2016, the bridge will not open to marine traffic.

b. From 4 a.m. on September 9, 2016 through 8 a.m. on September 12, 2016, the bridge will open fully on signal upon 24 hr advance notice.

c. From 8 a.m. on September 12, 2016 through 4 a.m. on September 16, 2016, the bridge will not open to marine traffic.

d. From 4 a.m. on September 16, 2016 through 8 a.m. on September 19, 2016, the bridge will open fully on signal upon 24 hr advance notice.

Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at anytime. 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 Notice and Broadcast 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: July 5, 2016.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.