E7-17996. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hackensack River, Jersey City, NJ

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 NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation, the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge may remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2007 through 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2007. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times. In the event of inclement weather, the rain dates will be September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2007. This deviation is necessary to facilitate aerial cable installation at the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 22, 2007 through 7 p.m. on September 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Materials referred to in this document are available for inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, One South Street, New York, New York 10004, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is [phone]. The First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch Office maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge, across the Hackensack River, mile 3.4, at Jersey City, New Jersey, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 40 feet at mean high water and 45 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.723(b).

On July 26, 2007, the Coast Guard authorized a temporary deviation [CGD01-07-093] to facilitate aerial cable installation at the bridge. Under that deviation the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge remained closed for vessel traffic for four weekends, July 28 and 29, August 4 and 5, August 11 and 12, and August 18 and 19, 2007, from 7 a.m. each Saturday morning through 7 p.m. each Sunday evening.

The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Transit Rail Operation (NJTRO), requested a second temporary deviation to facilitate the completion of the aerial cable installation at the bridge. The aerial cable installation was unexpectedly not finished during the previously authorized temporary deviation, making additional time necessary for the completion of this project.

Under this temporary deviation the NJTRO Lower Hack Bridge need not open for the passage of vessel traffic for from 7 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2007 through 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2007. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times. In the event of inclement weather, the rain dates will be September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2007.

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: September 4, 2007.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.