Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, FL

[[Page 13098]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-96-010]

Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,

FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from regulations and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Coast Guard issuing a

temporary deviation to the regulations governing the J.D. Butler

(Hillsboro Boulevard, State Road 810) drawbridge, mile 1050.0, at

Deerfield Beach, from March 1, 1996 through May 30, 1996. This

deviation authorizes the bridge owner to open the draw on signal,

except that, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the draw

need open only on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and forty

minutes after the hour; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through

Sunday and federal holidays, the draw need open only on the hour and

half-hour. The purpose of this temporary change in opening schedule

from Friday through Sunday and federal holidays is to test the

feasibility of establishing a permanent change to the seasonal opening

restrictions to reduce severe vehicular traffic congestion without

unreasonably impacting navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from March 1, 1996 through May 30,

1996, unless sooner terminated. Comments on the alternate schedule must

be received on or before May 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast

Guard District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, Room 406, 909 SE. 1st

Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. The comments and other materials

referenced in this notice will be available for inspection and copying

at the above address. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4

p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also

be hand-delivered to the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Brodie Rich, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard

District, at 305-536-5117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in

this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the

J.D. Butler Drawbridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway by

submitting written data, or arguments for or against this deviation.

Persons submitting comments should include their name, address,

identify this rulemaking (CGD07-96-010) and give the reason for each

comment. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should

enclose a stamped self-addressed postcard or envelope.

The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the

comment period and determine whether to initiate a rulemaking to

propose a permanent change to the drawbridge operation schedule.

Persons may submit comments by writing to the Commander (oan), Seventh

Coast Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

The City of Deerfield Beach has requested a change from the current

seasonal operating schedule in Title 33 CFR 117.261(bb) to a year-round

hour and half-hour opening schedule. A Coast Guard analysis of highway

traffic and bridge opening data provided by the Florida Department of

Transportation which was completed on May 8, 1995, indicated the heavy

traffic congestion is limited to weekends during the winter tourist

season. This deviation will allow a test of the proposed hour and half-

hour opening schedule during the heaviest highway and waterway traffic

periods. If the test reduces highway traffic congestion without

unreasonably impacting navigation, the Coast Guard plans to publish a

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which will request comments on a

permanent change to the regulations.

Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in

a situation where a delay would endanger life or property shall, upon

proper signal, be passed through the draw at any time.

This deviation from normal operating regulations (33 CFR 117.5) is

authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 33 of the Code of

Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.43.

Dated: March 7, 1996.

P.J. Cardaci,

Captain U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District,

Acting.

[FR Doc. 96-7171 Filed 3-25-96; 8:45 am]

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