2012-16622. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Pequonnock River, Bridgeport, CT, 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 Metro North (Peck) Bridge across the Pequonnock River, mile 0.3, at Bridgeport, CT. The deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to facilitate miter rail repair.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from July 9, 2012 through September 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0596 and are available online at www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2012-0596 in the “Keyword” 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 email Ms. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Metro North (Peck) Bridge, across the Pequonnock River, mile 0.3, at Bridgeport, CT, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 26 feet at mean high water and 32 feet at mean low water. The drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.219(b).

The operator of the bridge, Metro North Railroad, requested a temporary deviation from the regulations to facilitate bridge maintenance, miter rail repair, at the bridge. While conducting repairs during a temporary deviation from April 15, 2012 to June 30, 2012, Metro North Railroad discovered that a separate track of rail needed repair. This was unknown during the original project planning.

The waterway users are recreational vessels and commercial lobster boats. The Metro North (Peck) Bridge rarely opens for vessel traffic. The bridge has received no requests to open during the past several years except for bridge testing and repairs.

Under this temporary deviation the Metro North (Peck) Bridge may remain in the closed position from July 9, 2012 through September 30, 2012. Vessels that can pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at all times.

The waterway users were advised of the requested bridge closure and offered no objection.

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: June 22, 2012.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.