E8-30880. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn, NY, Maintenance

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 Hamilton Avenue Bridge across the Gowanus Canal, mile 1.2, at Brooklyn, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge shall require a four-hour advance notice for bridge openings for three months to facilitate bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from January 16, 2009 through March 31, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-1155 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Hamilton Avenue Bridge, across the Gowanus Canal, mile 1.2, at Brooklyn, New York, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 19 feet at mean high water and 23 feet at mean low water. The Drawbridge Operation Regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.5.

The waterway has seasonal recreational vessels, and commercial vessels of various sizes.

The owner of the bridge, New York City Department of Transportation, requested a temporary deviation to facilitate the training of bridge personnel, mechanical and electrical testing at the bridge.

Under this temporary deviation the Hamilton Avenue Bridge shall require at least a four-hour advance notice for bridge openings from January 16, 2009 through March 31, 2009. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

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: December 15, 2008.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.