2016-26531. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Harlem River, New York City, 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 Spuyten Duyvil Bridge across the Harlem River, mile 7.9, New York City, New York. This deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner to perform a test of the submarine cables at the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 10 p.m. on December 9, 2016 to 7 a.m. on December 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0966] 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 Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, mile 7.9, across the Harlem River, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 5 feet at mean high water and 9 feet at mean low water. The existing bridge operating regulations are found at 33 CFR 117.789(d).

The waterway is transited by commercial vessels.

The bridge owner, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule to perform a test of the submarine cables at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation, the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge shall remain in the closed position from 10 p.m. on December 9, 2016 to 7 a.m. on December 11, 2016.

Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and there is an alternate route for vessels to pass.

The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices 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 known companies of the commercial vessels, NYPD, and FDNY in the area 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: October 31, 2016.

C.J. Bisignano,

Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.