82 FR 17561 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Delaware River, Pennsauken Township, NJ
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)
Coast Guard
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)
| Page Range | 17561-17562 | |
| FR Document | 2017-07287 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 17561-17562] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-07287] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [Docket No. USCG-2016-0257] Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Delaware River, Pennsauken Township, NJ AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating regulation that governs the DELAIR Memorial Railroad Bridge across the Delaware River, mile 104.6, at Pennsauken Township, NJ. This deviation will test the remote operation capability of the drawbridge to determine whether the bridge can be safely operated from a remote location. This deviation will allow the bridge to be remotely operated from the Conrail South Jersey dispatch center in Mount Laurel, NJ, instead of being operated by an on-site bridge tender. DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on April 24, 2017, to 7:59 a.m. on October 21, 2017. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 18, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG- 2016-0257 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this test deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Fifth Coast Guard District (dpb); telephone (757) 398-6222, email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis The DELAIR Memorial Bridge across the Delaware River, mile 104.6, at Pennsauken Township, NJ, owned and operated by Conrail Shared Assets, has a vertical clearance of 49 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation position. There is a daily average of 28 New Jersey Transit trains and 8 Conrail freight trains that cross the bridge and a daily average of 3 bridge openings that allow one or more vessels to transit through the bridge during each opening. The bridge is normally maintained in the closed position, due to the average daily number of trains crossing the bridge. The operating schedule is published in 33 CFR 117.716. This operating schedule has been in effect since 1984 and will not change with the implementation of remote operation of the bridge. This test deviation allows the bridge to be operated remotely from the bridge owner's South Jersey dispatch center in Mount Laurel, NJ. The Delaware River is used by a variety of vessels including deep draft commercial vessels, tug and barge traffic, recreational vessels, and public vessels including military vessels of various sizes. The three-year average number of bridge openings and maximum number of bridge openings by month and overall for 2013 through 2015, as drawn from the data contained in the bridge tender logs, is presented below. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Average Maximum Month openings openings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ January........................................... 73 88 February.......................................... 54 56 March............................................. 80 94 April............................................. 55 68 May............................................... 60 67 June.............................................. 60 71 July.............................................. 122 162 August............................................ 112 138 September......................................... 143 201 October........................................... 109 117 November.......................................... 100 116 December.......................................... 100 122 Monthly........................................... 89 201 Daily............................................. 3 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The bridge owner and the maritime community have been working together since 2013 in an effort to incorporate sensors and other technologies into the bridge and the Conrail South Jersey dispatch center to allow for the safe and effective remote operation of the bridge. The remote operation system includes eight camera views (four marine and four rail), two forward-looking infrared equipped camera views (marine), marine radar, a dedicated telephone line for bridge operations, radiotelephone on VHF-FM channels 13 and 16, and an automated identification system (AIS) transmitter to provide bridge status. The AIS transmitter has been installed on the New Jersey side of the bridge at the bridge and land intersection in approximate position 39 degrees, 58 minutes, 50.52 seconds North (39.9807), 75 degrees, 03 minutes, 58.75 seconds West (-75.06632). The AIS transmitter is assigned maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number 993663001 and will provide the status of the bridge (open/closed/ inoperative) via the name transmitted by the private aids to navigation as: DELAIR BRG-OPEN [[Page 17562]] (fully open and locked position, channel light green), DELAIR BRG- CLOSED (other than fully open, not inoperative), or DELAIR BRG-INOP (other than fully open, inoperative). The AIS transmitter will transmit the bridge status every two minutes and upon a change in the bridge status. The remote operation system is designed to provide equal or greater capabilities compared to the on-site bridge tender, in visibility of the waterway and bridge, and in signals (communications) via sound and visual signals and radio telephone (voice) via VHF-FM channels 13 and 16. The remote operation system also incorporates real-time bridge status via AIS signal to aid mariners in voyage planning and navigational decision-making, a dedicated telephone line (856) 231-2301 for bridge operations, and push-to-talk (PTT) capability on VHF-FM channel 13. The remote operation system will be considered failed and qualified personnel will return and operate the bridge within 60 minutes, if any of the following conditions are found: (1) The remote operation system becomes incapable of safely and effectively operating the bridge from the remote operation center, (2) visibility of the waterway or bridge is degraded to less than equal that of an on-site bridge tender (all eight camera views are required), (3) signals (communications) via sound or visual signals or radio telephone (voice) via VHF-FM channels 13 or 16 become inoperative, or (4) AIS becomes inoperative. The test deviation will commence at 8 a.m. on April 24, 2017, and conclude at 7:59 a.m. on October 21, 2017. During the test deviation, a bridge tender will be stationed on-site at the bridge and will be able to immediately take local control of the bridge, as required. Vessels that require an opening shall continue to request an opening via the methods (sound or visual signals or radio telephone (VHF-FM) voice communications) as defined in 33 CFR 117.15(b) through (d), via telephone at (856) 231-2301, or push-to-talk (PTT) on VHF-FM channel 13. Vessels may push the PTT button five times while on VHF-FM channel 13 and the South Jersey dispatch center, or bridge tender at the bridge, will receive and respond to the request and commence opening of the bridge. During the test deviation, if the South Jersey dispatch center does not respond to a vessel's request, or is unable to operate the bridge, the bridge tender at the bridge will take immediate action to respond to the vessel's request for a bridge opening and commence opening of the bridge in accordance with regulations. During the second half of the test deviation period, commencing on or before 8 a.m. on July 23, 2017, the remote operation system will incorporate the capability to receive and respond to sound and visual signals from the remote operation center. Prior to incorporation of the capability to receive and respond to sound and visual signals from the remote operation center, the on-sight bridge tender will receive and respond to sound and visual signals and coordinate an opening of the bridge with the remote operation center. The signals for the remote operation center to respond to a sound signal for a bridge opening will include: (1) When draw can be opened immediately--a sound signal of one prolonged blast followed by one short blast and illumination of a fixed white light not more than 30 seconds after the requesting signal or (2) when the draw cannot be opened immediately--five short blasts sounded in rapid succession and illumination of a fixed red light not more 30 seconds after the vessel's opening signal. The signals to respond to a visual signal for a bridge opening will include: (1) When draw can be opened immediately--illumination of a fixed white light not more than 30 seconds after the requesting signal or (2) when the draw cannot be opened immediately--illumination of a fixed red light not more 30 seconds after the vessel's opening signal. The fixed white light will remain illuminated until the bridge reaches the fully open position. The fixed white and red lights will be positioned on the east (New Jersey) bridge abutment adjacent to the navigation span. During the test deviation period, the bridge owner will collect data on the performance and operation of the bridge and efficacy of the remote operation system sensors, technologies, and processes and procedures. The incorporation of AIS is designed to enhance the availability of real-time information regarding the status of the DELAIR Bridge for vessel operators and other maritime stakeholders. The bridge owner conducted significant coordination with the U. S. Coast Guard, Mariners' Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware, and maritime stakeholders in 2013, 2014, and 2015, regarding remote operation of the DELAIR Bridge and in developing a plan to perform this test deviation. The bridge owner also met with the U. S. Coast Guard and Delaware River Pilots, and provided a tour of their South Jersey dispatch center and demonstration of the remote operation of the bridge for interested stakeholders, in January 2015. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to normal (local) operation at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. II. Public Participation and Request for Comments We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions. We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 FR 15086). Documents mentioned in this notification and all public comments, are in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site's instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published. Dated: April 6, 2017. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2017-07287 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 12, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 17561
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND position, due to the average daily
Department of the Navy requested a SECURITY number of trains crossing the bridge.
temporary deviation from the operating The operating schedule is published in
schedule of the State Route 23 vertical Coast Guard 33 CFR 117.716. This operating
lift span bridge across the Gulf schedule has been in effect since 1984
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 3.8, at Belle 33 CFR Part 117 and will not change with the
Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. [Docket No. USCG–2016–0257]
implementation of remote operation of
The 2017 New Orleans Air Show is the bridge. This test deviation allows
being held on the weekend of April 22– Drawbridge Operation Regulation; the bridge to be operated remotely from
Delaware River, Pennsauken the bridge owner’s South Jersey
23, 2017. The deviation will
Township, NJ dispatch center in Mount Laurel, NJ.
accommodate the anticipated vehicle The Delaware River is used by a
traffic associated with the large amount AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. variety of vessels including deep draft
of the general public that will attend ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation commercial vessels, tug and barge
this popular event. This temporary from regulations; request for comments. traffic, recreational vessels, and public
deviation will allow the bridge to vessels including military vessels of
remain in the closed-to-navigation SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a various sizes. The three-year average
position from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on temporary deviation from the operating number of bridge openings and
Saturday, April 22, 2017 and from 4 regulation that governs the DELAIR maximum number of bridge openings by
p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April Memorial Railroad Bridge across the month and overall for 2013 through
23, 2017. Delaware River, mile 104.6, at 2015, as drawn from the data contained
Pennsauken Township, NJ. This in the bridge tender logs, is presented
In accordance with 33 CFR deviation will test the remote operation
117.451(b), the bridge currently opens below.
capability of the drawbridge to
on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to determine whether the bridge can be Average Maximum
8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 Month
safely operated from a remote location. openings openings
p.m. Monday through Friday, except This deviation will allow the bridge to
Federal holidays, the draw need not be be remotely operated from the Conrail January ..................... 73 88
opened for the passage of vessels. February ................... 54 56
South Jersey dispatch center in Mount March ........................ 80 94
The State Route 23 vertical lift span Laurel, NJ, instead of being operated by April ........................... 55 68
bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal an on-site bridge tender. May ........................... 60 67
Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), DATES: This deviation is effective from June .......................... 60 71
8 a.m. on April 24, 2017, to 7:59 a.m. July ........................... 122 162
mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Louisiana has
on October 21, 2017. Comments and August ....................... 112 138
a vertical clearance of 40 feet above September ................ 143 201
mean high water in the closed-to- related material must reach the Coast October ..................... 109 117
navigation position and 100 feet above Guard on or before August 18, 2017. November ................. 100 116
mean high water in the open-to- ADDRESSES: You may submit comments December ................. 100 122
navigation position. Navigation on the identified by docket number USCG– Monthly ..................... 89 201
2016–0257 using Federal eRulemaking Daily .......................... 3 7
waterway consists primarily of tugs
with tows, commercial fishing vessels, Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.
See the ‘‘Public Participation and The bridge owner and the maritime
and occasional recreational craft. community have been working together
Request for Comments’’ portion of the
Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal since 2013 in an effort to incorporate
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
Waterway (Harvey Canal) as an sensors and other technologies into the
below for instructions on submitting
alternate. bridge and the Conrail South Jersey
comments.
The Coast Guard has coordinated the dispatch center to allow for the safe and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If effective remote operation of the bridge.
closure with waterway users, industry, you have questions on this test
and other Coast Guard units. It has been The remote operation system includes
deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, eight camera views (four marine and
determined that this closure will not Fifth Coast Guard District (dpb);
have a significant effect on vessel traffic. four rail), two forward-looking infrared
telephone (757) 398–6222, email equipped camera views (marine),
The bridge will not be able to open for Hal.R.Pitts@uscg.mil. marine radar, a dedicated telephone line
emergencies during the closure period.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: for bridge operations, radiotelephone on
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), VHF–FM channels 13 and 16, and an
the drawbridge must return to its regular I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis automated identification system (AIS)
operating schedule immediately at the The DELAIR Memorial Bridge across transmitter to provide bridge status. The
end of the designated time period. This the Delaware River, mile 104.6, at AIS transmitter has been installed on
deviation from the operating regulations Pennsauken Township, NJ, owned and the New Jersey side of the bridge at the
is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. operated by Conrail Shared Assets, has bridge and land intersection in
a vertical clearance of 49 feet above approximate position 39 degrees, 58
Dated: March 31, 2017.
mean high water in the closed-to- minutes, 50.52 seconds North (39.9807),
Eric A. Washburn, navigation position. There is a daily 75 degrees, 03 minutes, 58.75 seconds
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard average of 28 New Jersey Transit trains West (¥75.06632). The AIS transmitter
District. and 8 Conrail freight trains that cross is assigned maritime mobile service
[FR Doc. 2017–07383 Filed 4–11–17; 8:45 am] the bridge and a daily average of 3 identity (MMSI) number 993663001 and
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P bridge openings that allow one or more will provide the status of the bridge
vessels to transit through the bridge (open/closed/inoperative) via the name
during each opening. The bridge is transmitted by the private aids to
normally maintained in the closed navigation as: DELAIR BRG–OPEN
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![17562 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 12, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
(fully open and locked position, channel opening of the bridge in accordance operation of the bridge for interested
light green), DELAIR BRG–CLOSED with regulations. stakeholders, in January 2015.
(other than fully open, not inoperative), During the second half of the test In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e),
or DELAIR BRG–INOP (other than fully deviation period, commencing on or
the drawbridge must return to normal
open, inoperative). The AIS transmitter before 8 a.m. on July 23, 2017, the
remote operation system will (local) operation at the end of the
will transmit the bridge status every two
incorporate the capability to receive and effective period of this temporary
minutes and upon a change in the
respond to sound and visual signals deviation. This deviation from the
bridge status.
from the remote operation center. Prior operating regulations is authorized
The remote operation system is
to incorporation of the capability to under 33 CFR 117.35.
designed to provide equal or greater
capabilities compared to the on-site receive and respond to sound and visual II. Public Participation and Request for
bridge tender, in visibility of the signals from the remote operation Comments
waterway and bridge, and in signals center, the on-sight bridge tender will
(communications) via sound and visual receive and respond to sound and visual We view public participation as
signals and radio telephone (voice) via signals and coordinate an opening of the essential to effective rulemaking, and
VHF–FM channels 13 and 16. The bridge with the remote operation center. will consider all comments and material
remote operation system also The signals for the remote operation received during the comment period.
incorporates real-time bridge status via center to respond to a sound signal for Your comment can help shape the
AIS signal to aid mariners in voyage a bridge opening will include: (1) When outcome of this rulemaking. If you
planning and navigational decision- draw can be opened immediately—a submit a comment, please include the
making, a dedicated telephone line sound signal of one prolonged blast
docket number for this rulemaking,
(856) 231–2301 for bridge operations, followed by one short blast and
indicate the specific section of this
and push-to-talk (PTT) capability on illumination of a fixed white light not
more than 30 seconds after the document to which each comment
VHF–FM channel 13. applies, and provide a reason for each
requesting signal or (2) when the draw
The remote operation system will be suggestion or recommendation.
cannot be opened immediately—five
considered failed and qualified
short blasts sounded in rapid succession We encourage you to submit
personnel will return and operate the
and illumination of a fixed red light not comments through the Federal
bridge within 60 minutes, if any of the
more 30 seconds after the vessel’s eRulemaking Portal at http://
following conditions are found: (1) The
opening signal. The signals to respond www.regulations.gov. If your material
remote operation system becomes
to a visual signal for a bridge opening cannot be submitted using http://
incapable of safely and effectively
will include: (1) When draw can be www.regulations.gov, contact the person
operating the bridge from the remote
opened immediately—illumination of a in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
operation center, (2) visibility of the
fixed white light not more than 30 CONTACT section of this document for
waterway or bridge is degraded to less seconds after the requesting signal or (2)
than equal that of an on-site bridge alternate instructions.
when the draw cannot be opened
tender (all eight camera views are immediately—illumination of a fixed We accept anonymous comments. All
required), (3) signals (communications) red light not more 30 seconds after the comments received will be posted
via sound or visual signals or radio vessel’s opening signal. The fixed white without change to http://
telephone (voice) via VHF–FM channels light will remain illuminated until the www.regulations.gov and will include
13 or 16 become inoperative, or (4) AIS bridge reaches the fully open position. any personal information you have
becomes inoperative. The fixed white and red lights will be provided. For more about privacy and
The test deviation will commence at positioned on the east (New Jersey) the docket, you may review a Privacy
8 a.m. on April 24, 2017, and conclude bridge abutment adjacent to the Act notice regarding the Federal Docket
at 7:59 a.m. on October 21, 2017. During navigation span. Management System in the March 24,
the test deviation, a bridge tender will During the test deviation period, the 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70
be stationed on-site at the bridge and bridge owner will collect data on the FR 15086).
will be able to immediately take local performance and operation of the bridge
control of the bridge, as required. and efficacy of the remote operation Documents mentioned in this
Vessels that require an opening shall system sensors, technologies, and notification and all public comments,
continue to request an opening via the processes and procedures. The are in our online docket at http://
methods (sound or visual signals or incorporation of AIS is designed to www.regulations.gov and can be viewed
radio telephone (VHF–FM) voice enhance the availability of real-time by following that Web site’s
communications) as defined in 33 CFR information regarding the status of the instructions. Additionally, if you go to
117.15(b) through (d), via telephone at DELAIR Bridge for vessel operators and the online docket and sign up for email
(856) 231–2301, or push-to-talk (PTT) other maritime stakeholders. alerts, you will be notified when
on VHF–FM channel 13. Vessels may The bridge owner conducted comments are posted or a final rule is
push the PTT button five times while on significant coordination with the U. S. published.
VHF–FM channel 13 and the South Coast Guard, Mariners’ Advisory
Jersey dispatch center, or bridge tender Committee for the Bay and River Dated: April 6, 2017.
at the bridge, will receive and respond Delaware, and maritime stakeholders in Hal R. Pitts,
to the request and commence opening of 2013, 2014, and 2015, regarding remote Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
the bridge. During the test deviation, if operation of the DELAIR Bridge and in District.
the South Jersey dispatch center does developing a plan to perform this test [FR Doc. 2017–07287 Filed 4–11–17; 8:45 am]
not respond to a vessel’s request, or is deviation. The bridge owner also met BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
unable to operate the bridge, the bridge with the U. S. Coast Guard and
tender at the bridge will take immediate Delaware River Pilots, and provided a
action to respond to the vessel’s request tour of their South Jersey dispatch
for a bridge opening and commence center and demonstration of the remote
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Document Created: 2017-04-12 00:23:17
Document Modified: 2017-04-12 00:23:17
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for comments. | |
| Dates | This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on April 24, 2017, to 7:59 a.m. on October 21, 2017. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before August 18, 2017. | |
| Contact | If you have questions on this test deviation, call or email Mr. Hal R. Pitts, Fifth Coast Guard District (dpb); telephone (757) 398-6222, email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 17561 |
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