[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48955-48956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23824]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-01-034]


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

[[Page 48956]]

temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
bascule spans of the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission Causeway 
across Lake Pontchartrain between Metairie, Jefferson Parish and 
Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This deviation allows the 
draws of the bridges to remain closed to navigation from 6 a.m. on 
Monday, October 15, 2001 until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2001. 
Presently, the draws are required to open on signal if at least three 
hours notice is given. This temporary deviation is requested to allow 
for the connection of new submarine cables to operate the draw spans of 
the bridges.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 
2001 until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 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), 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130-3396. The 
Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this 
temporary deviation.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the closure period, the bridges will 
not be able to open for vessels to transit through the bascule spans of 
the bridge. The bridges have a vertical clearance of 42 feet above mean 
high water in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the 
waterway consists of small tugs with tows, fishing vessels, sailing 
vessels, and other recreational craft. In case of an emergency, the 
bridge owner will be able to hand crank the draws of the bridges to the 
open to navigation position. As an alternate route, the south channel 
fixed spans of the dual bridges provides a vertical clearance of 50 
feet above mean high water.
    The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission requested a temporary 
deviation from the normal operation of the drawbridge in order to allow 
for the connection of new submarine cables to operate the draw spans of 
the bridges.
    This deviation allows the draws of the bridges of the Greater New 
Orleans Expressway Commission Causeway across Lake Pontchartrain to 
remain closed to navigation from 6 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2001 
until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2001.

    Dated: September 10, 2001.
J.R. Whitehead,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, 8th Coast Guard Dist. Acting.
[FR Doc. 01-23824 Filed 9-24-01; 8:45 am]
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