[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8638]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-01-008]


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 
north bascule span of the US 11 bridge across Lake Pontchartrain 
between New Orleans and Slidell, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, 
Louisiana. This deviation allows one leaf of the north bascule span of 
the US 11 bridge to be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position 
continuously from 1 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2001 until 6 p.m. on Friday, 
June 29, 2001. This temporary deviation was issued to allow for the 
replacement of the south leaf trunnions of the north channel bascule 
span and the cleaning and painting of both leaves of the bascule span. 
Presently, the draw opens on signal for the passage of vessels.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 1 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2001 
through 6 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this 
notice are available for inspection or copying at the office of the 
Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Commander 
(ob), Eighth Coast Guard District, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana, 70130-3396. The Bridge Administration Branch of the Eighth 
Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this temporary 
deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Frank, Bridge Administration 
Branch, telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The US 11 bascule bridge across Lake 
Pontchartrain, between New Orleans and Slidell, has a vertical 
clearance of 13 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation 
position and unlimited in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation 
on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, fishing vessels, sailing 
vessels, and other recreational craft. The Louisiana Department of 
Transportation and Development requested a temporary deviation from the 
normal operation of the drawbridge in order to accommodate the repair 
and maintenance work including the cleaning and painting of both leaves 
of the north channel bascule. A similar span restriction occurred in 
2000 for the replacement of the north leaf trunnions of the north 
channel bascule span. During that closure, traffic was able to pass 
with little inconvenience.
    This deviation allows one of the leaves of the north channel 
bascule span of the US 11 bridge across Lake Pontchartrain, between New 
Orleans and Slidell, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, to be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position continuously from 1 
a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2001 until 6 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2001.

    Dated: March 27, 2001.
J.C. Van Sice,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, 8th Coast Guard District, Acting.
[FR Doc. 01-8638 Filed 4-6-01; 8:45 am]
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