Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Hobe Sound Bridge (SR 708), Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 996.0, Hobe Sound, Martin County, FL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Hobe Sound Bridge (SR 708) at Hobe Sound across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 996.0 in Hobe Sound, Martin County, Florida. This deviation allows the drawbridge to open only a single-leaf on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 40 minutes after the hour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for two days, with a double-leaf openings available with two-hour notice to the bridge tender. This temporary deviation is required to allow the bridge owner to safely complete repairs to the bridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 15, 2003 until 6 p.m. on January 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Material received from the public, as well as comments indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket [CGD07-03-005] and are available for inspection or copying at Commander (obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 S.E. 1st Avenue, Room 432, Miami, FL 33131 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Michael Lieberum, Project Manager, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch at (305) 415-6744.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The existing regulations of the Hobe Sound Bridge (SR 708), mile 996, at Hobe Sound, Martin County, Florida, published in the Federal Register [CGD07-02-104, 67 FR 55115], require the bridge to open on signal, except that from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. the bridge will open on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 40 minutes after the hour. On December 4, 2002, the Commissioners of Martin County, the drawbridge owner, requested a deviation from the current operating regulations by allowing the bridge to only open a single-leaf of the bridge to safety effect repairs. A double-leaf opening will be available with two-hour advance notice to the bridge tender.

The District Commander has granted a temporary deviation from the operating requirements listed in CGD07-02-104, 67 FR 55115 to complete repairs to the bridge. Under this deviation, the Hobe Sound Bridge (SR 708) need open only a single-leaf on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 40 minutes after the hour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 15, 2002 and January 16, 2002. A double-leaf opening will be provided with a two-hour advance notice to the bridge tender.