[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 28771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13058]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-03-023]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Berwick Bay, Morgan City, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 
Burlington Northern Railway Vertical Lift Span Railroad Bridge across 
Berwick Bay, mile 17.5, at Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. 
This deviation provides a four-hour bridge closure to navigation, 
Monday through Thursday from June 16, 2003 through July 10, 2003. The 
deviation is necessary to conduct scheduled maintenance to the railroad 
on the drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2003 
until noon on Thursday, July 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs Federal Building, room 1313, 
501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3396 between 7 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is (504) 589-2965. The Bridge Administration Branch of 
the Eighth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this 
temporary deviation.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Railway Company has 
requested a temporary deviation in order to remove and replace all of 
the crossties on the lift span of the bridge across Berwick Bay, mile 
17.5, at Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This maintenance is 
essential for the continued safe operation of the railroad bridge. This 
temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position from 8 a.m. until noon, Monday through Thursday 
from June 16, 2003 through July 10, 2003.
    The vertical lift span bridge has a vertical clearance of 4 feet 
above National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) in the closed-to-
navigation position and 73 feet above NGVD in the open-to-navigation 
position. Navigation at the site of the bridge consists of tugs with 
tows transporting petroleum products, chemicals and construction 
equipment, commercial fishing vessels, oil industry related work boats 
and crew boats and some recreational craft. Since the lift span of the 
bridge will only be closed to navigation four hours per day, four days 
per week, ample time will be allowed for commercial and recreational 
vessels to schedule transits. Accordingly, it has been determined that 
this closure will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic. The 
bridge normally remains in the open-to-navigation position until a 
train enters the signal block, requiring it to close. An average number 
of openings for the passage of vessels is, therefore, not available. In 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, the draw of the bridge shall open on 
signal at all times. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies during the closure periods because the weight disparity 
imposed by the presence of maintenance equipment on the lift span will 
not allow for its safe operation. The Intracoastal Waterway--Morgan 
City to Port Allen Landside Route is an alternate route for vessels 
with less than a 12-foot draft.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed 
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as 
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: May 16, 2003.
Marcus Redford,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-13058 Filed 5-23-03; 8:45 am]
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