[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34799-34800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14800]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-03-025]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Illinois Waterway, Beardstown, 
IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 34800]]


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 
Beardstown Railroad Drawbridge, across the Illinois Waterway, mile 88.8 
at Beardstown, Illinois. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain 
closed to navigation for three separate 10\1/2\-hour increments from 
June 9, 2003 until June 11, 2003. The deviation is necessary to 
facilitate maintenance work on the bridge that is essential to the 
continued safe operation of the drawbridge.

DATES: This temporary deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on June 9, 
2003, until 5:30 p.m. June 11, 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, Commander (obr), Eighth Coast Guard 
District, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2832, between 8 a.m. 
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Bridge 
Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this temporary 
deviation.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge 
Administrator, Commander (obr), Eighth Coast Guard District, 1222 
Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2832, (314) 539-3900, extension 
2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 
requested a temporary deviation on May 9, 2003 to allow time to conduct 
preventative maintenance to the Beardstown Railroad Drawbridge, across 
the Illinois Waterway, mile 88.8 at Beardstown, Illinois. The 
Beardstown Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.393(a) which requires that the drawbridge be maintained in the 
open-to-navigation position and closed only for the passage of rail 
traffic. In order to replace the up and down haul cables, the bridge 
must be kept in the closed to navigation position. This deviation 
allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for three separate 
10\1/2\-hour intervals from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., June 9, 2003, from 
7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., June 10, 2003, and from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., 
June 11, 2003. Vessels not exceeding the vertical clearance of the 
drawbridge may pass under the drawbridge during repairs. There are no 
alternate routes for vessels transiting through mile 88.8 on the 
Illinois Waterway. The drawbridge will be incapable of opening for 
emergencies during the 10\1/2\-hour repair periods.
    The Beardstown Railroad drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 
19.6 feet above normal pool in the closed to navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and 
recreational watercraft. This deviation has been coordinated with 
waterway users. No objections were received.
    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: June 3, 2003.
Roger K. Wiebusch,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-14800 Filed 6-10-03; 8:45 am]
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