Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Stony Creek, Maryland

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-98-018]

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Stony Creek, Maryland

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a

temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the

S173 Bridge across Stony Creek at mile 0.9, in Riviera, Maryland.

Beginning March 2 through May 1, 1998, this deviation allows the bridge

to remain closed to navigation between the hours of 8 p.m. to 6:30

a.m., Monday through Friday excluding Federal and State holidays. This

closure is necessary to facilitate extensive cleaning and painting

operations while still providing for the reasonable needs of

navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on March 2, 1998 until

6:30 a.m. on May 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at

(757) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The S173 Bridge is owned and operated by the

Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Alpha Painting &

Construction Company, Inc., MDOT's contractor, requested a temporary

deviation from the normal operation of the bridge to implement

extensive cleaning and painting operations. The current regulation at

Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 117.573 requires the

draw to open on signal with the following exceptions: (a) from 6:30

a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

except Federal and State holidays, the draw need only open at 7:30 a.m.

and 5 p.m., if any vessels are waiting to pass; (b) From 11 a.m. to 7

p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, the draw need only

open on the hour and half hour; and (c) all public vessels of the

United States and vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or

property shall be passed at any time.

The work entails the sandblasting and cleaning of the bridge.

Sandblasting will immobilize operation of the drawbridge due to the

installation of an encapsulation shield with scaffolding during the

closed period. On weekends, holidays, and during all other hours, the

bridge will operate in accordance with the current regulations.

Discussions with MDOT concerning the S173 Bridge logs revealed that

recreational vessel nighttime transits through this bridge for 1996 and

1997 from March through May caused an average of 12 openings per week,

excluding weekends. MDOT's advance publication of the closure in local

newspapers, along with the Coast Guard's Local Notice to Mariners, will

reduce this temporary deviation's negative impact on transiting

vessels.

Beginning March 2 through May 1, 1998, this deviation allows the

S173 Bridge to remain closed to navigation between the hours of 8 p.m.

to 6:30 a.m.; Monday through Friday excluding Federal and State

holidays.

Dated: March 18, 1998.

J. Carmichael,

Acting Captain,

U.S. Coast Guard Commander,

Fifth Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 98-7913 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]

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