117.903—Darby Creek.
(1)
The owner of this bridge on this waterway shall provide and keep in good legible condition two board gages painted white with black figures, nine inches high to indicate the vertical clearance under the closed draw at all stages of the tide. The gages shall be so placed on the bridge that they are plainly visible to operators of vessels approaching the bridge either up or downstream.
(2)
Trains shall be controlled so that any delay in opening of the draw shall not exceed ten minutes except as provided in § 117.31(b). However, if a train moving toward the bridge has crossed the home signal for the bridge before the signal requesting opening of the bridge is given, the train may continue across the bridge and must clear the bridge interlocks before stopping.
(3)
From April 1 through October 31, the draw shall be left in the open position at all times and will only be lowered for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part.
(4)
The bridge will be operated by the bridge/train controller at the Delair Railroad Bridge in Delair, New Jersey.
(5)
Before the bridge closes for any reason, an on-site crewmember will observe the waterway for approaching craft, which will be allowed to pass. The on-site crewmember will then communicate with the off-site bridge/train controller at the Delair Railroad Bridge either by radio or telephone, requesting the off-site bridge/train controller to lower the bridge.
(6)
The bridge shall only be lowered from the remote site if the on-site crewmember's visual inspection shows there are no vessels in the area and the infrared channel sensors are not obstructed.
(7)
While the CONRAIL Railroad Bridge is moving from the full open to the full closed position, the off-site bridge/train controller will maintain constant surveillance of the navigational channel using infrared sensors to ensure no conflict with maritime traffic exists. In the event of failure or obstruction of the infrared channel sensors, the off-site bridge/train controller will stop the bridge and return the bridge to the open position. In the event of loss of radio or telephone communications with the on-site crewmember, the off-site bridge/train controller will stop the bridge and the bridge return to the open position.
(8)
When the draw cannot be operated from the remote site, a bridge tender must be called to operate the bridge in the traditional on-site manner.
(9)
The CONRAIL Railroad channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red anytime the bridge is not in the full open position.
(10)
During downward span movement, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn will sound two times, followed by a pause, and then two repeat blasts until the bridge is seated and locked down.
(11)
When the rail traffic has cleared, the off-site bridge/train controller at the Delair Railroad Bridge will sound the horn five times to signal the draw of the CONRAIL Railroad Bridge is about to return to its full open position.
(12)
During upward span movement, the channel traffic lights will change from flashing green to flashing red, the horn will sound two times, followed by a pause, and then sound repeat blasts until the bridge is in the full open position. In the full open position, the channel traffic lights will then turn from flashing red to flashing green.
(13)
From November 1 through March 31, the draw shall open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given by telephone at (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201. Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day by telephone at (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201.
(b)
The Reading Railroad Bridge, mile 0.3, at Essington, will be left in the full open position at all times.