[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6007]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD 08-98-008]


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Houma Navigation Canal, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation in 33 CFR 117.5 governing the 
operation of the SR 661 swing span drawbridge across the Houma 
Navigation Canal, mile 36 near Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. 
This deviation allows the Louisiana Department of Transportation and 
Development to close the bridge to navigation from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. 
on Mondays and from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. 
The swing span will open for the passage of traffic at 9 a.m., noon and 
3 p.m. daily. The draw may open at other times should a large 
accumulation of waterway traffic occur. This temporary deviation is 
issued to allow for the replacement of the decking of the swing span, 
an extensive but necessary maintenance operation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 a.m. on February 16, 1998 
through 6 p.m. on March 26, 1998.

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: The SR 661 swing span drawbridge across the 
Houma Navigation Canal near Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, has a 
vertical clearance of 1 foot above high water in the closed-to-
navigation position and unlimited clearance in the open-to-navigation 
position. Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, 
fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and other recreational craft. The 
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development sent a letter to 
the Coast Guard requesting a temporary deviation from the normal 
operation of the bridge in order to accommodate the maintenance work. 
The maintenance work involves removing, repairing, and replacing the 
steel grid decking. This work is essential for the continued operation 
of the draw span.
    This deviation allows the draw of the SR 661 swing span bridge 
across the Houma Navigation Canal to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays and between 6:30 a.m. and 
6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. The swing span will open for the 
passage of traffic at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. daily. The draw may open 
at other times should a large accumulation of waterway traffic occur.
    This deviation will be effective from 9 a.m. on February 16, 1998 
through 6 p.m. on March 26, 1998. Presently, the draw opens on signal 
except that from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday 
through Friday except holidays, the draw need not open for the passage 
of vessels.

    Dated: February 20, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-6007 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
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