[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7635]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD 08-98-011]


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, 
New Orleans, 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 governing the operation of the 
L&N bascule drawbridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 
2.9 at New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 8 a.m. to noon; and from 
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday April 1, 1998 and Thursday April 2, 1998. 
Presently, the draw is required to open on signal. This temporary 
deviation is issued to allow for the repairs to the handrails and 
sidewalk stringers damaged in a recent allision.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on April 1, 1998 through 
5 p.m. on April 2, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Frank, 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 L&N bascule drawbridge across the Inner 
Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 2.9, in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, 
Louisiana, has a vertical clearance of one 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 
small ships, tows, fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and other 
recreational craft. The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New 
Orleans 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 handrails and stringers damaged 
in a recent allision. This work is essential for the continued safe 
operation of the draw span.
    This deviation allows the draw of the L&N bascule bridge to remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 
p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 1 and April 2. The bridge will open for the 
passage of vessels from noon to 1 p.m. on April 1 and April 2. The 
bridge will also open for the passage of vessels from 5 p.m. on April 1 
until 8 a.m. on April 2. With the draw in the closed-to-navigation 
position, vessels requiring vertical clearances of greater than one 
foot above high water will be delayed a maximum of four hours.
    This deviation will be effective from 8 a.m. April 1, 1998, through 
5 p.m. April 2, 1998. Presently, the draw opens on signal at any time, 
as required by 33 CFR 117.5.
    Dated: March 13, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-7635 Filed 3-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M