E7-15163. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hackensack River, Jersey City, 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 regulation governing the operation of the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation, in effect for four weekends, July 28 and 29, August 4 and 5, August 11 and 12, and August 18 and 19, 2007, the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position, each Saturday morning from 7 a.m. through each Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate aerial cable installation at the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from July 28, 2007 through August 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Materials referred to in this document are available for inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, One South Street, New York, New York 10004, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is [phone]. The First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch Office maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge, across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 40 feet at mean high water and 45 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.723(b).

The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Transit Rail Operation (NJTRO), requested a temporary deviation to facilitate aerial cable installation at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge need not open for the passage of vessel traffic for four weekends, July 28 and 29, August 4 and 5, August 11 and 12, and August 18 and 19, 2007, from 7 a.m. each Saturday morning through 7 p.m. each Sunday evening. Vessels that can pass under the bridge 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: July 26, 2007.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.