[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18397]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-01-020]


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 the north bascule span to remain 
closed to navigation from 6 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 7 
p.m. on August 6, 7, and 8, 2001. This temporary deviation was issued 
to allow for the installation of a new submarine cable underneath the 
north bascule span of the bridge. At all other times during this 
period, only the north leaf of the north bascule span will open for the 
passage of vessel traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, August 6, 
2001 through 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 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 north bascule span of the US 11 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 
installation of a new submarine cable beneath the north bascule span. 
During the closure period, traffic will be able to pass through the 
north leaf of the span between noon and 1 p.m. and from 7 p.m. until 6 
a.m. Emergency repairs to the south leaf of the north bascule span are 
ongoing and will be completed by 4 p.m. on August 30, 2001. Scaffolding 
beneath the south leaf has reduced the vertical clearance by 
approximately two feet.
    This deviation allows 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 from 6 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. 
until 7 p.m. on August 6, 7, 8, 2001.

    Dated: July 12, 2001.
Roy J. Casto,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-18397 Filed 7-23-01; 8:45 am]
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