E8-18081. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hackensack River, Jersey City, NJ, Maintenance

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, the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position for 42 days to facilitate bridge lift cable maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary to facilitate necessary bridge maintenance.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from August 9, 2008 through September 19, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0727 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: 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, and the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gary Kassof, 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 waterway has seasonal recreational vessels, and commercial vessels of various sizes.

The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Transit Rail Operation (NJTRO), requested a temporary deviation to facilitate the replacement of cable sheaves and also the bridge lift cables.

Under this temporary deviation the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position August 9, 2008 through September 19, 2008. 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 25, 2008.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.