| USA. Coast Guard reports changed drawbridge openings in Nassau County |
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| Thursday, 06 July 2006 | |
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Coast Guard news: A change in the Nassau County draw bridge openings for the 2006 summer boating season to improve drawbridge operations and traffic flow in Nassau County as announced by Gary Kassof, Coast Guard Bridge Program Manager, in cooperation with the State Department of Transportation (DOT) here today. The changes will cover a 65-day trial period for regularly scheduled draw bridge openings on the Wantagh, Meadowbrook and Loop Parkways' bridges. "Traffic conditions on these parkways, especially on the Loop Parkway bridge during the morning and afternoon peak periods, and waterways have changed significantly over the last decade causing increased congestion," Kassof said. "As a result we need to seek drawbridge operating rules that will provide a better balance between Long Island motorists and boaters." Following a review of all data collected during the last test period conducted between August 15, 2005 and November 12, 2005 on three bridges in Nassau County, Loop Parkway over Long Creek; Meadowbrook State Parkway over Sloop Channel; and Wantagh State Parkway over Goose Creek , it was decided to test another variation in the drawbridge opening schedules this summer. Discussion among commercial vessel owners, the Coast Guard, DOT, and the Town of Hempstead yielded a decision to revise operating schedules for the trial period. Following the test period an evaluation will be made to determine if the opening schedules should become permanent. Mariners are reminded that all vessels must lower appurtenances unessential to navigation before passing under a bridge or they may be subject to a $15,000 fine in accordance with Coast Guard regulations. Signs notifying commercial and recreational mariners of the enforcement of the lowered unessential accessories regulation are being posted at each of the three bridges. Coast Guard vessels will provide random enforcement of the lowered appurtenances requirement and DOT bridge operators are obligated to report any violators to the Coast Guard in an effort to reduce unnecessary bridge openings. The following is a summary of the new scheduled bridge openings for each of the bridges that will be tested from June 30, 2006 through September 4, 2006: Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge over Sloop Channel The bridge will open on request if at least a half-hour notice is given to the New York State Department of Transportation, except that, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, the drawbridge shall open every hour on the hour provided at least a half-hour notice is given. Wantagh State Parkway Brige over Goose Creek The bridge will open on request if at least a half-hour notice is given to the New York State Department of Transportation, except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, the drawbridge shall be opened every hour on the half-hour provided at least a half-hour notice is given. Loop Parkway Bridge over Long Creek The bridge will open on request for all marine traffic, twice an hour at twenty and fifty minutes after the hour, from 6:20 a.m. to 7:20 p.m., Monday through Friday except between 9:50 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., when the bridge will open on request for all commercial vessels. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, the bridge shall open on request once an hour, at twenty minutes after the hour, between 7:20 a.m. and 8:20 p.m., except that, the bridge shall open on request for all commercial vessels. At all other times the bridge shall open on signal for all vessel traffic. Comments regarding this test should be mailed to Commander (dpb), First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, One South Street, Battery Park Building, New York, N.Y. 10004 through November 3, 2006. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 July 2006 ) |
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