Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW), at 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 draw of the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, at Atlantic City, NJ. The deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to vessels requesting a bridge opening in order to accommodate the 3rd Annual Atlantic City Triathlon.

DATES:

This deviation is effective 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. September 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation [USCG-2013-0783] is available at http://www.regulations.gov . Type the docket number in the “Search” box and click “Search.” Click on the Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140, on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Kashanda L. Booker, Bridge Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, telephone (757) 398-6227, email Kashanda.l.booker@uscg.mil. If you have questions on reviewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The New Jersey Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Atlantic City Emergency Management Office, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations of the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge across Inside Thorofare, NJICW mile 70.0, at Atlantic City. The closure has been requested to ensure the safety of the runners and spectators that will be participating in the triathlon, on Sunday September 15, 2013.

Under this temporary deviation, the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge will remain in the closed position from 6 a.m. through 12 p.m., on Sunday, September 15, 2013.

In the closed position to vessels, the available vertical clearance of this bascule bridge is approximately 10 feet, above mean high water. The current operating regulation is outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(f), which requires that on the weekdays during this time of year, the bridge shall open on signal; except that from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the draw need only open if at least four hours of notice is given, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the draw need only open on the hour and half hour, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the draw need not open.

Vessels that can pass under the drawbridge without an opening may do so at all times. In the event of an emergency, the drawbridge will be able to open for vessels.

The Atlantic Ocean is an alternate route for vessels with mast heights greater than 10 feet. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure periods so that vessels can plan their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation. At all other times during the effected period, the bridge will operate as outlined at 33 CFR 117.733(f).

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge 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.