2016-19535. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Rockaway Inlet, Queens, NY

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 Marine Parkway Bridge across the Rockaway Inlet, mile 3.0, at Queens, New York. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to replace mechanical and electrical components for the lift span operation.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on November 15, 2016 to 5 p.m. on May 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0778] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Marine Parkway Bridge, mile 3.0, across the Rockaway Inlet, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 55 feet at mean high water and 59 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.795(a).

The waterway is transited by commercial barge traffic of various sizes.

The bridge owner, MTA Bridges and Tunnels, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to replace mechanical and electrical components for the lift span operation.

Under this temporary deviation, the Marine Parkway Bridge shall remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. on November 15, 2016 to 5 p.m. May 13, 2017.

Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local Notice and Broadcast to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operations can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation. The Coast Guard notified various companies of the commercial oil and barge vessels and they have no objections to 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: August 11, 2016.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.