[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 237 (Monday, December 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30475]



[[Page 63627]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-01-044]


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 
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, December 17, 2001 until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. 
This temporary deviation allows 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, December 17, 
2001 until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 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 between 7 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. 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: Presently, the draw is required to open on 
signal if at least three hours notice is given; except that, the draw 
need not be opened for the passage of vessels Monday through Friday 
except Federal holidays from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. 
until 7 p.m. The draw opens on signal for any vessel in distress or 
vessel waiting immediately following the closures listed above.
    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 provide 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, December 17, 2001 
until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2001.

    Dated: December 3, 2001.
J. R. Whitehead,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, 8th Coast Guard Dist., Acting.
[FR Doc. 01-30475 Filed 12-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-U