Coast Guard Finalizes Removal of Drawbridge Regulation for Demolished A1A North Causeway Bridge in Fort Pierce, Florida
The U.S. Coast Guard has finalized an administrative rule to remove the operating regulation for the A1A North Causeway bridge, located at mile 964.8 across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Fort Pierce, Florida. Effective September 9, 2026, this decision follows the complete demolition of the bridge, with its bascule spans permanently removed from the waterway in August 2026, rendering the prior regulation obsolete.
Background on the A1A North Causeway Bridge
The A1A North Causeway bridge had a long-standing regulation governing its drawbridge operations, specified in 33 CFR 117.261. This regulation outlined the procedures for opening the bridge to allow marine traffic to pass. However, with the bridge undergoing demolition and its operational components, specifically the bascule spans, no longer present in the waterway, the need for such a regulation has ceased. The removal of these spans in August 2026 marks a definitive end to the bridge's function as a movable structure.
Regulatory Authority and Process
The Coast Guard implemented this final rule under the authority provided by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), which allows an agency to issue a rule without prior public notice and opportunity for comment if there is "good cause." In this instance, the agency determined that publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was "impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest." This determination was based on the fact that the bridge's draw operation requirement was already non-existent due to its demolition. The agency also invoked 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make the rule effective immediately, waiving the typical 30-day delay after publication. This expedited effective date was justified because the rule is merely an administrative adjustment reflecting an already completed physical change, and it has no impact on mariners or waterway traffic. The overarching legal authority for drawbridge regulations remains 33 U.S.C. 499.
Impact and Scope of the Rule
This final rule specifically amends 33 CFR part 117 by removing and reserving paragraph (d) of 33 CFR 117.261, which exclusively referred to the A1A North Causeway bridge. The Coast Guard asserts that this change is purely administrative and has no substantive impact on industry or the public. It does not affect waterway or land traffic, as the bridge is no longer a factor in navigation. Furthermore, the removal of this particular regulation does not alter the operating schedules or requirements for any other active drawbridges along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which remain governed by other provisions within 33 CFR 117.261.
Regulatory Compliance and Analysis
In developing this rule, the Coast Guard conducted various regulatory analyses to ensure compliance with federal mandates. The agency determined that the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply because the rule was issued under a good cause waiver, foregoing the notice and comment period. No new collection of information is required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Regarding federalism, the rule was found consistent with Executive Order 13132, having no substantial direct effect on states, and similarly, no tribal implications under Executive Order 13175. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was also considered, with the Coast Guard concluding that the rule would not result in expenditures exceeding the specified thresholds. Finally, under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the rule is categorically excluded from further review, falling under a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment.
