[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12610]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-99-034]


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, TX

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 117.977 governing the 
operation of the Pelican Island Causeway bascule drawbridge across the 
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 356.1 at Galveston, Galveston County, 
Texas. This deviation allows the Galveston County Navigation District 
to maintain the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. 
until 7 p.m. from Monday, May 17, 1999, until Friday, June 4, 1999. 
Additionally, the bridge may remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position continuously from 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 1999, until 7 
p.m. on Sunday, May 23, 1999. At all other times, the bridge will 
operate normally for the passage of vessels. This temporary deviation 
is issued to allow for the replacement of the bridge fendering system.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 1999, 
until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 1999.

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: Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs 
with tows, fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and other recreational 
craft. The Galveston County Navigation District requested a temporary 
deviation from the normal operation of the bridge in order to 
accommodate the replacement of the fender system of the bridge. The 
fender system will be replaced in-kind.
    This deviation allows the draw of the Pelican Island Causeway 
bascule span drawbridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 
356.1 at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas, to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. from Monday, May 17, 
1999, until Friday, June 4, 1999. Additionally, the bridge may remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position continuously from 7 a.m. on 
Thursday, May 20, 1999, until 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, 1999. At all 
other times, the bridge will operate normally for the passage of 
vessels. Presently, the draw opens on signal for the passage of 
vessels; except that, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 12 noon to 1 p.m., and 
4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, 
the draw need not open for the passage of vessels. Public vessels of 
the United States and vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.

    Dated: May 12, 1999.
A. L. Gerfin, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, 8th Coast Guard Dist., Acting.
[FR Doc. 99-12610 Filed 5-18-99; 8:45 am]
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