AGENCY:
Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
SUMMARY:
The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Florida East Coast Railroad bridge across the St. Johns River, mile 24.9, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position from 11 p.m. on December 1 until 5 p.m. on December 12, 2002, for the completion of emergency repairs.
DATES:
This deviation is effective from 11 p.m. on December 1, 2002, until 5 p.m. on December 12, 2002.
ADDRESSES:
Material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at Commander (obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 SE. 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33131 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Barry Dragon, Chief, Operations Section, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch at (305) 415-6743.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge across the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, Florida, is a single leaf bascule bridge with a vertical clearance of 9 feet above mean high water (MHW) measured at the fenders in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of 195 feet.
The current operating regulation in 33 CFR 117.325(c) requires that the bridge be constantly tended and have a mechanical override capability for the automated operation. A radiotelephone must be maintained at the bridge for the safety of navigation. The draw is normally in the fully open position, displaying flashing green lights to indicate that vessels may pass. When a train approaches, large signs on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge flash “Bridge Coming Down,” the lights go to flashing red, and siren signals sound. After an eight minute delay, the draw lowers and locks if there are no vessels under the draw. The draw remains down for a period of eight minutes or while the approach track circuit is occupied. After the train has cleared, the draw opens and the lights return to flashing green.
This deviation will facilitate repairs to the upper trunnion of the moveable span. The work will be performed on an around-the-clock basis from 11 p.m. on December 1, 2002, until 5 p.m. on December 12, 2002. During this period of work the span will remain in the closed position.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible.
Dated: November 25, 2002.
Greg Shapley,
Chief, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 02-30737 Filed 12-3-02; 8:45 am]
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