2015-05294. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Housatonic River, Stratford, CT

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 operation of the Metro-North (Devon) railroad bridge across the Housatonic River at Stratford, Connecticut. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform electrical repairs at the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for seven days.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 23, 2015 through 7 a.m. on March 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0110] 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, call or email Ms. Judy K. Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Metro-North (Devon) railroad bridge across the Housatonic River, mile 3.9, at Stratford, Connecticut, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 19 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.207(b).

The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational vessels and commercial vessels of various sizes.

The bridge owner, Metro-North, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to facilitate electrical repairs at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation the Metro-North (Devon) railroad bridge may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. on March 23, 2015 through 7 a.m. on March 29, 2015.

The draw shall maintain its normal operating schedule at all other times.

There are no alternate routes for vessel traffic; however, vessels that can pass under the closed draw during this closure may do so at all times. The bridge may be opened in the event of an emergency.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast 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: February 23, 2015.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.