SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The owner of the bridge, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels, requested a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule in order to complete rehabilitation work associated with the replacement of lift span machinery. The Marine Parkway (Gil Hodges Memorial) Bridge across Jamaica Bay (Rockaway Inlet), mile 3.0 at Queens, New York has a vertical clearance of 55 feet at mean high water and 59 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.795(a).

The temporary deviation will allow the owner of the Marine Parkway (Gil Hodges Memorial) bridge to require vessels seeking an opening of the draw to provide a minimum of two hours of advance notice on weekdays (Monday through Friday) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from July 30, 2018 to November 30, 2018 by submitting a request for the opening of the draw. Requiring a minimum of two hours of advance notice before opening the draw allows for sufficient time to alert all affected personnel engaged in bridge rehabilitation work to vacate the lift span and all machinery areas along, with removing and/or securing materials and equipment prior to lifting the bridge.

The waterway is transited by seasonal recreational traffic as well as commercial vessels, largely tug and barge combinations. The 55 foot vertical clearance while the bridge is in the closed position offers the bulk of commercial traffic sufficient room to transit under the bridge in the closed position. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so at all times. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies. There is no immediate alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge when in the closed position.

The Coast Guard will inform users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by this temporary deviation.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

83 FR 35550