Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Connecticut River, East Haddam, CT

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Route 82 Bridge across Connecticut River, mile 16.8, at East Haddam, CT. The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), submitted a request on July 10, 2026, to remove the opening restrictions currently in place for November 1 through April 30 and allow the bridge to provide consistent bridge operations throughout the year. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58833-58835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19059]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket Number USCG-2026-0960]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Connecticut River, East Haddam, 
CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that 
governs the Route 82 Bridge across Connecticut River, mile 16.8, at 
East Haddam, CT. The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of 
Transportation (CTDOT), submitted a request on July 10, 2026, to remove 
the opening restrictions currently in place for November 1 through 
April 30 and allow the bridge to provide consistent bridge operations 
throughout the year. We invite your comments on this proposed 
rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before October 19, 2026.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2026-0960 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
    See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion 
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments. This notice of proposed rulemaking with its plain-
language, 100-word-or-less proposed rule summary will be available in 
this same docket.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Ms. Stephanie E. Lopez, Northeast Coast Guard 
District, Bridge Management Specialist, telephone 571-608-5676, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e4b79081948c858a8d81caa1caa88b94819ea491978783ca898d88"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b280f1e0b131a15121e553e5537140b1e013b0e08181c55161217">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
OMB Office of Management and Budget

[[Page 58834]]

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Advance, Supplemental)
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code
CTDOT Connecticut Department of Transportation

II. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis

    The Route 82 Bridge at mile 16.8, across the Connecticut River, 
East Haddam, CT, has a vertical clearance of 22 feet at mean high water 
in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of approximately 180 
feet. Waterway users include recreational and commercial vessels to 
include fishing vessels.
    The existing drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.205(c). The current regulations in 33 CFR 117.205(c) contain the 
following two sections: (1) From May 1 through October 31, the draw 
shall open on signal for commercial vessels. For recreational vessels, 
the draw shall open on signal, except that from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the 
draw need open for recreational vessels on the hour only. (2) From 
November 1 through April 30, the draw shall open on signal for all 
vessels, except from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the draw shall open on signal if 
at least six-hours' notice is given by calling the phone number posted 
at the bridge.
    CTDOT is requesting the modification of the requirements in 33 CFR 
part 117.205(c) to provide consistent bridge openings and continuous 
uniform regulation by removing the required six-hour notice from 
November 1 through April 30. CTDOT will provide bridge attendants on a 
continuous basis to provide consistent bridge operations throughout the 
year. By removing this restriction and adding continuous bridge 
attendants, this will allow the draw to open on signal for commercial 
vessels year-round. The draw will open for recreational vessels on 
signal, except between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. when the draw will 
be opened for recreational vessels when needed on the hour only.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule removes operating restrictions previously 
required between November 1 through April 30, providing consistent 
operations throughout the year. The draw shall open on signal for 
commercial vessels year-round. For recreational vessels, the draw shall 
open on signal year-round, except between the hours from 6 a.m. to 8 
p.m. where the draw will open for recreational vessels when needed on 
the hour only.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on a number of these statutes and Executive Orders.

A. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations 
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
    This regulatory action improves the ability of the bridge to open 
on signal for both commercial and recreational vessels, reducing 
potential delays for vessels transiting the Connecticut River in the 
vicinity of the bridge.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed rule would 
affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction 
and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for 
compliance, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against 
small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or 
any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

B. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would not call for new collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).

C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132 
(Federalism), if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on 
the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and 
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would not have a substantial direct effect on 
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. If 
you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule will not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this 
proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.

E. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01, Rev. 01., associated implementing 
instructions, and Environmental Planning Policy COMDTINST 5090.1 
(series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The 
Coast Guard has determined that this action is one of a category of 
actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. This proposed rule promulgates the 
operating regulations or procedures for drawbridges. Normally such 
actions are categorically excluded from further review, under paragraph 
L49, of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, 
Rev. 01.
    Neither a Record of Environmental Consideration nor a Memorandum 
for the Record are required for this rule. We seek any comments or 
information that may lead to the discovery of a significant 
environmental impact from this proposed rule.

[[Page 58835]]

V. 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.
    Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type 
USCG-2026-0960 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for 
this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click 
on the Comment option. If your material cannot be submitted using 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.
    Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this 
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as 
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & 
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will be 
placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following instructions 
on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked Questions web page. 
If you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts through the 
``Subscribe'' option, you will be notified when comments/updates are 
posted, or a final rule is published.
    Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we 
post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal 
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions 
in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records 
notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows:

PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and DHS Delegation No. 
00170.1. Revision No. 01.4.

0
2. Revise Sec.  117.205 paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  117.205   Connecticut River

* * * * *
    (c) The draw of the Route 82 Bridge at mile 16.8, across the 
Connecticut River, East Haddam, CT, shall open on signal for commercial 
vessels year-round. For recreational vessels, the draw will open on 
signal year-round, except for the period from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. 
daily when the draw will only open on the hour for recreational vessels 
when needed.

Matthew Lake,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Northeast Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2026-19059 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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