[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5017-5018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2086]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-04-003]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Berwick Bay, Morgan City, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 5018]]


ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City to Port 
Allen Alternate Route), mile 0.4), at Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, 
Louisiana. This deviation provides for three (3) six-hour bridge 
closures to conduct scheduled maintenance to the railroad on the 
drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 
18, 2004 until 2 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2004.

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: David Frank, Bridge Administration 
Branch, telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Railway Company has 
requested a temporary deviation in order to repair and replace damaged 
rails 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 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 
February 18, 2004 through February 20, 2004.
    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 six hours per day for three 
days, 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. 
During the repair period, the bridge may open for emergencies; however, 
delays should be expected to remove all equipment from the bridge. 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: January 23, 2004.
Marcus Redford,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-2086 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P