[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 19656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10550]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD 08-98-012]


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Lake Pontchartrain, 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 
draws of the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission causeway, north 
bascule spans across Lake Pontchartrain, between Metairie, Jefferson 
Parish, Louisiana, and Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. From 
May 4, 1998, through July 2, 1998 the draw will remain closed Mondays 
through Saturdays, except for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This 
temporary deviation is issued to allow for cleaning and painting of the 
bascule structures, an extensive but necessary maintenance operation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on May 4, 1998 
through 12:01 a.m. on July 2, 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 north bascule spans of the Greater New 
Orleans Expressway Commission causeway across Lake Pontchartrain, 
Louisiana have a vertical clearance of 42 feet above mean high water in 
the closed to navigation position and unlimited clearance in the open 
to navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of small 
tugs with tows, fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and other 
recreational craft. As an alternate route, the south channel span 
provides a vertical clearance of 50 feet above mean high water.
    The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission sent a letter to the 
Coast Guard requesting this temporary deviation from normal drawbridge 
operating regulations so that the draw spans can be cleaned and 
painted. The equipment used for this procedure has to be removed each 
time the draw span is opened. Since this process is time consuming and 
costly, the equipment should remain in place for 6-day periods, 
allowing the contractor to maximize work time. Painting operations in 
the counterweight area will require the bridges to be placed in the 
open to navigation position. During the time in which the span of one 
bridge is in the open position to be painted, the span of the other 
bridge will need to be closed to detour vehicular traffic. The short 
term inconvenience, attributable to a delay of vessel traffic for a 
maximum of six days, is outweighed by the long term benefits to be 
gained by keeping the bridges free of corrosion and in proper working 
condition. This work is essential for the continued operation of the 
draw spans.
    This deviation allows the draws of the Greater New Orleans 
Expressway Commission causeway, north bascule spans, to remain closed 
to navigation from 12:01 a.m. on Mondays until 12:01 a.m. on Sundays 
from May 4 through July 2, 1998 except for the holiday weekend of May 
23, 24 and 25, 1998. In the event of an approaching tropical storm or 
hurricane, the bridges will be returned to the normal operation within 
24 hours of notification by the Coast Guard.
    This deviation will be effective from 12:01 a.m. on May 4, 1998 
through 12:01 a.m. on July 2, 1998. Presently, the draw opens on signal 
if at least three hours' notice is given, as required by 33 CFR 
117.467.

    Dated: April 10, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-10550 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]
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