2015-20118. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Townsend Gut, Boothbay and Southport, Maine

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 Southport (SR 27) Bridge, across Townsend Gut, mile 0.7, at Boothbay and Southport, Maine. This deviation is necessary to facilitate replacement of the bridge wedge motor. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for 24 hours.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 5, 2015 through 7 a.m. on October 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0765] 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. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140, on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 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 temporary deviation, contact Mr. Joe M. Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Ms. Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Southport (SR 27) Bridge, mile 0.7, across the Townsend Gut has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 10 feet at mean high water and 19 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.537.

Maine Department of Transportation requested this temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to facilitate essential bridge repairs.

Under this temporary deviation, the Southport Bridge (SR 27) may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. on October 5, 2015 through 7 a.m. on October 6, 2015.

The bridge will be able to open in the event of an emergency. There is no alternate route for vessel traffic; however, vessels that can pass under the closed draws during this closure may do so at any time.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our Local Notice to Mariners of the change in operating schedule 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 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: August 5, 2015.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.