Limiting Bridge of Lions Bridge Opening Times -- Petition for Rulemakikng to U.S. COast Guard to Respect Normal Commuter Hours

Dear Commandant:

I hereby respectfully petition the Commandant of the Coast Guard to change the regulations for the opening of the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine, Florida, effective upon the reopening of the restored historic bridge later this year.

I request that to conserve energy and to decrease traffic snarls during commuter hours, there be no bridge openings between the hours of 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM and 4:00 to 6 PM, Monday through Friday (except on holidays and in the case of actual emergencies).

During reconstruction of the old bridge, it has become appzrent that there are long waits by commuters for bridge openings during commuter hours. This results in dozens of people being delayed for small boaters who could adjust their schedules. This also results in unnecessary, preventable emissions and pollution in our Nation's Oldest European-founded City. As we approach the 500th anniversary of the Spanish in Florida (2013) and the 450th anniversary of St. Augustine (2015), we need to clean up our town and its image, starting with a St. Augustine National Historical Park, National Seashore and Scenic Coastal Parkway.

We urgently need to adjust the bridge opening schedule on weekdays so that our downtown is attractive to tourists from around the world.

I further request that the Coast Guard environmental affairs office study the effects upon energy consumption and traffic tie-ups of bridge openings at other locations, with an eye toward reducing gasoline and diesel consumption.

Respectfully submitted,

Ed Slavin
Clean Up City of St. Augustine
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085
904-829-3877
904-471-9918 (fax)