Drawbridge Operation Regulations; St. Johns River, FL

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD7-96-069]

RIN 2115-AE47

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; St. Johns River, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is hereby providing notice that the Florida

Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been granted permission to

temporarily deviate from the regulations governing the operation of the

Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the St. Johns

River, located in the City of Jacksonville from Friday November 8,

1996, through Friday, February 7, 1997, for the purpose of evaluating

the reasonableness of possible changes to the permanent regulations.

This deviation authorizes the draws of the Fuller Warren Bridge to

remain closed for longer periods during the morning and afternoon

weekday highway commuter periods. In addition, the Fuller Warren Bridge

is allowed to open only once per hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays

except Federal holidays. This test will help determine whether the

revised opening schedule will improve the flow of highway traffic

without unreasonably impacting navigation.

DATES: The deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through

February 7, 1997. Comments must be received on or before February 7,

1997.

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

Guard District, 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 9 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. Gary D. Pruitt, Project Officer,

Seventh Coast Guard District, Aids to Navigation, at (305) 536-7331.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in

this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the

Fuller Warren Drawbridge operated by the State of Florida by submitting

written data, view or arguments to the address above. Persons

submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify

this notice [CGD7-96-069] and give the specific provision to which each

comment applies, 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 operating schedule.

Persons may submit comments by writing to the Commander Seventh Coast

Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

The Fuller Warren Drawbridge, mile 25.4, Highway I10/I95 over the

St. Johns River, located in the City of Jacksonville, Florida has a

vertical clearance, in the closed position, of 44 feet above mean high

water and 45 feet above mean low water (MLW). On November 6, 1996 FDOT

requested a deviation from the current operating schedule in 33 CFR

117.325 in order to reduce the number of drawbridge openings that would

impact the heavy volumes of highway traffic being experienced on I95.

The traffic volume has doubled on this interstate highway system since

1991, reducing the Level of Service (LOS) to LOS E during weekdays.

This temporary deviation to the operating regulations for the Fuller

Warren Drawbridge, owned and operated by the FDOT, increases the

morning and afternoon closed periods and authorizes hourly openings

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. This deviation is intended to reduce

highway delays. However, due to strong river currents and difficult

maneuvering characteristics, tugs with tows are exempted from these

restrictions. Other vessels using this reach of the St. Johns River

have adequate maneuvering room to wait the hourly openings and should

not be unreasonably impacted by this deviation.

The Coast Guard has granted the Florida Department of

Transportation a temporary deviation from the operating regulations

outlined in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.325

governing the Fuller Warren Drawbridge located across the St. Johns

River. This deviation from normal operating regulations is authorized

in accordance with the provisions of Title 33, Code of Federal

Regulations, Sec. 117.43 for the purpose of evaluating a possible

change to the permanent regulations. Under this deviation, the Fuller

Warren Drawbridge operated by the FDOT shall open on signal; except

that, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays from 7 a.m. to 6

p.m. the draw need not open except on the hour. However, the draw need

not open between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday

through Friday except Federal holidays. Tugs with tows shall be passed

at any time except during the authorized weekday closures from 7 a.m.

to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The bridge shall open at any time

for vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or

property.

This period of deviation is effective from November 8, 1996 through

February 7, 1997.

Dated: December 27, 1996.

R.C. Olsen, Jr.,

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

District.

[FR Doc. 97-1576 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]

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