[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33593]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD11-98-011]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Sacramento River, CA-160 
Highway Bridge at Isleton, Solano County, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has 
issued a temporary deviation to regulations governing opening of the 
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) bascule bridge over 
the Sacramento River at Isleton, CA (the Isleton Bridge). The deviation 
specifies the east leaf of the bridge need not open for the passage of 
vessels from January 4, 1999 through January 15, 1999. The purpose of 
this deviation is to allow Caltrans to remove, fabricate and replace 
mechanical drive bearings for the bridge lifting mechanism.

DATES: Effective period of the deviation is 9:00 a.m. January 4, 1999 
through 5:00 p.m. January 15, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Jerry Olmes, Bridge Administrator, Eleventh Coast Guard District, 
Building 50-6, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA 94501-5100, telephone 
(510) 437-3515.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 22, 1998, CalTrans requested to 
close the east leaf of the bridge from November 30, 1998 through 
December 11, 1998. With one leaf operation, the horizontal clearance 
through the bridge, at the waterline, is 100 feet (30.5 meters). The 
Coast Guard contacted commercial operators who might be affected by 
this change in operation. A local marine contractor advised their 
vessel requiring 73 feet horizontal clearance was scheduled to work 
upstream of Isleton until mid December, 1998 and asked that the bridge 
repairs be delayed. The USCG noted that the Caltrans Tower Bridge in 
Sacramento, on the same waterway, was scheduled to close for repair on 
January 1, 1999. The USCG noted also that marine interests had been 
advised of the work at Tower Bridge, and since they had not objected to 
it, they would likely not object to work during the same time period at 
Isleton. On November 3, 1998, the Coast Guard asked CalTrans if they 
would agree to postpone the work until after January 1, 1999. CalTrans 
rescheduled the work from January 4 through January 15, 1999. The USCG 
now anticipates that the economic consequences of this deviation will 
be minimal. The 100 ft. horizontal clearance with one leaf operation 
will provide sufficient clearance for other vessels requiring passage, 
hence it will not pose an economic burden for waterway users. The 
deviation from these regulations is authorized in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.35. Existing operating regulations in 33 CFR 117.189 require 
on-demand bridge openings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 through 
April 30 annually, and on four hours advance notice at all other times 
during that period.

    Dated: December 11, 1998.
C.D. Wurster,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 98-33593 Filed 12-17-98; 8:45 am]
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