FLORIDA – AICW – BISCAYNE BAY – WEST / EAST 79TH STREET BRIDGES: Rulemaking / Temporary Deviation UPDATE 01/03/2023
The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the West 79th Street Bridge crossing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1084.6 at Miami, Florida and the operating schedule that governs the East 79th Street Bridge crossing Miami Beach Channel, mile 2.20 at Miami Beach, FL. This action will place the East and West 79th Street Bridges crossing Miami Beach Channel and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Miami, FL on a once an hour opening schedule during peak traffic hours, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Coast Guard published a Temporary Deviation with a request for comments in the Federal Register. The comment period ended December 29, 2022. While the Coast Guard reviews the comments, the temporary deviation will be remain in effect until March 29, 2023 or until the Coast Guard has made a determination if the regulatory change
is necessary.

Temporary Deviation – Under this test deviation, the West 79th Street and East 79th Street Bridges are authorized to operate under the following conditions from 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2022 through 11:59 p.m. on March 29, 2023:
1. Monday through Friday (except on Federal holidays)
– 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. the draws need only open on the hour;
– 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the draws need only open on the hour and half hour;
– 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. the draws need only open on the hour;
– 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the draws shall open on signal.
2. Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays the draw shall open on signal.
If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or e-mail Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, telephone 305-415-6740, email Jennifer.N.Zercher@uscg.mil

79th Street Causeway Bridge