2011-21867. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Trent River, New Bern, NC

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 regulations governing the operation of the US 70 (Alfred C. Cunningham) Bridge across Trent River, mile 0.0, at New Bern, NC, to accommodate a bike race. This deviation allows the drawbridge to be maintained in the closed position to vessels at specific dates and times.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on September 10, 2011 to 9 a.m. on September 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0781 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-0781 in the “Keyword” box and then clicking “Search”. They are 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 Terrance Knowles, Environmental Protection Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The US 70 (Alfred C. Cunningham) Bridge, a bascule lift bridge across Trent River, at mile 0.0, has a vertical clearance in the closed position to vessels of approximately 14 feet, above mean high water.

On behalf of the City of New Bern NC, the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations of the bridge set out in 33 CFR 117.843 (a) to accommodate the Bike MS/Historic New Bern Ride.

Under this deviation, the drawbridge would be allowed to remain in the closed position to vessels on two separate occasions on the following dates and times: For the Bike MS/Historic New Bern Ride, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., on Saturday, September 10, 2011 and from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Trent River and the drawbridge will be able to open in the event of an emergency.

The majority of the vessels that transit through this bridge during this time of year are primarily recreational boats. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway 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 deviations.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated time periods. This deviation from the operating regulation is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: August 12, 2011.

Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,

Bridge Program Manager.

By direction of the Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.