[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64995-64996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31093]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR PART 117

[CGD08-96-054]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, 
LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard 
District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation in 33 CFR 
117.5 governing the operation of the L&N Railroad/Old Gentilly Road 
bascule span drawbridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 
3.4 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation requires 
that the draw open on signal, except that between the hours of 6 a.m. 
and 4 p.m. daily from December 8, 1996 through December 21, 1996, the 
draw need not open for the passage of vessels for a maximum period of 
up to six hours. The draw need not open for the passage of vessels for 
a continuous closure from 12:01 a.m. on December 22, 1996 through 12 
noon on December 26, 1996, a total of 108 hours. Additionally, between 
the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily from December 26, 1996 through 
December 29, 1996, the draw need not open for the passage of vessels 
for a maximum period of up to six hours. Presently, the draw is 
required to open on signal. This temporary deviation is issued to allow 
for the replacement of the main trunions of the bascule span, an 
extensive but necessary maintenance operation.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. December 8, 
1996 through 4 p.m. on December 29, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration Branch, Commander (ob), Eighth 
Coast Guard District, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70130-3396, telephone number (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    The L&N Railroad/Old Gentilly Road bascule span drawbridge across 
the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 3.4 in New Orleans, has a 
vertical clearance of one foot above high tide in the closed to 
navigation position and unlimited clearance in the open to navigation 
position. Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, 
including crane barges, jack-up boats, oil industry crew vessels, 
fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and other recreational craft. The 
Port of New Orleans requested a temporary deviation from the normal 
operation of the bridge so that the main bascule span trunion pins 
could be removed and replaced. The procedure requires that the draw 
span remain in the closed position for up to six consecutive hours per 
day between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. for 14 consecutive days 
while jacks are constructed which support the span when the trunion 
pins are removed. The span must remain continuously closed to 
navigation for 4.5 consecutive days while the trunion pins are removed 
and replaced.
    Following the trunion pin replacements, the draw span must remain 
in the closed to navigation position for up to six consecutive hours 
per day between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. for 3 consecutive days 
while jacks are removed. The old trunion pins are badly worn and must 
be replaced. Therefore, this maintenance operation is essential for 
continued operation of the draw span. This deviation to 33 CFR 117.5 is 
effective from 12:01 a.m. December 8, 1996 through 4 p.m. on December 
29, 1996.


[[Page 64996]]


    Dated: November 27, 1996.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-31093 Filed 12-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M