[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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