2017-14799. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW), Inside Thorofare, Atlantic City, NJ

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 US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge which carries US 40 and US 322 across the NJICW (Inside Thorofare), mile 70.0, at Atlantic City, NJ. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the 7th Annual Atlantic City Triathlon. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES:

The deviation is effective from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0649] 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 Mr. Michael Thorogood, Bridge Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The DelMoSports, LLC, on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, owner and operator of the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge that carries US 40 and US 322 across the NJICW (Inside Thorofare), mile 70.0, at Atlantic City, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations to ensure the safety of the increased volumes of cyclists and spectators that will be participating in the 7th Annual Atlantic City Triathlon on Saturday August 5, 2017. The bridge is a double bascule drawbridge. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 10 feet above mean high water in the closed position and unlimited vertical clearance in the open position.

The current operating regulation is set out in 33 CFR 117.733(f). Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

The NJICW (Inside Thorofare) is used by recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in publishing this temporary deviation.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies, if at least 10 minutes notice is given, and there is no immediate alternative route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators 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: July 11, 2017.

Hal R. Pitts,

Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.