[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 43 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10159-10160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4777]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-04-011]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Ocean Springs, MS

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 
U.S. 90 Bascule Span Highway Bridge across Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 0.0 
at Ocean Springs, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 
8, 2004 through 6 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2004. The deviation is 
necessary to align the speed reducer and to replace some of the old 
welded flooring plates with new steel channel sections on the 
drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2004 
through 6 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 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, 
500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3310 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 Mississippi Department of Transportation 
has requested a temporary deviation in order to align the speed reducer 
and to replace some of the old welded flooring plates with new steel 
channel sections on the U.S. 90 Bascule Span Highway Bridge across Back 
Bay of Biloxi, mile 0.0 at Ocean Springs, Harrison County, Mississippi. 
The replacement of the old flooring plates and alignment of the speed 
reducer is necessary for the continued safe operation of the draw span 
of the bridge. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position continuously

[[Page 10160]]

from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2004 through 6 p.m. on Friday, March 
12, 2004.
    Presently the bridge opens on signal except that from 6:30 a.m. to 
7:05 a.m., 7:20 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 4:55 p.m. to 
5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except holidays, the draw need not 
open for the passage of vessels.
    The bascule span bridge has a vertical clearance of 14 feet above 
mean high water, elevation 1.75 feet Mean Sea Level in the closed-to-
navigation position. Navigation at the site of the bridge consists 
mainly of commercial fishing vessels, tugs with barges in tow and 
various sizes and types of recreational pleasure craft including 
sailing vessels. Bridge tender logs show that in February, 2003 the 
bridge was opened 120 times to pass navigation, an average of 4 times 
per day. In March, 2003 it was opened 164 times to pass navigation, an 
average of 5.4 times per day. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies during the closure period. Alternate routes are not 
available.
    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: February 23, 2004.
Bradford W. Black,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-4777 Filed 3-3-04; 8:45 am]
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