[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18301-18302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7208]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-05-018]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Upper Mississippi River, Fort 
Madison, IA

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 operations of the 
Fort Madison Drawbridge, mile 383.9, Fort Madison, Iowa across the 
Upper Mississippi River. This deviation allows the bridge to remain 
closed to navigation for 8-hour and 4-hour time periods from July 16 to 
July 18, 2005, and from July 23 to July 25, 2005. The deviation is 
necessary to allow time for making repairs of critical structural 
components essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.

DATES: This temporary deviation is effective from 6 a.m., July 16, 2005 
to 6 a.m., July 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at Room 2.107F in the Robert A. Young Federal 
Building, 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, (314) 539-3900, extension 2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway 
Company requested a temporary deviation to allow time to conduct 
repairs to the Fort Madison Drawbridge, mile 383.9 at Fort Madison, 
Iowa across the Upper Mississippi River. The Fort Madison Drawbridge 
currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5 which requires the 
drawbridge to open promptly and fully for passage of vessels when a 
request to open is given in accordance with 33 CFR 117, subpart A. This 
deviation will be enforced from 6 a.m., July 16, 2005 to 6 a.m., July 
18, 2005 and from 6 a.m., July 23, 2005 to 6 a.m., July 25, 2005. 
During this enforcement period the bridge will remain closed to 
navigation

[[Page 18302]]

for 8 hours from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16 and July 23, 2005. At 2 p.m. 
the bridge will open for vessels, and will remain open until all 
waiting and arriving vessels have transited the bridge. Otherwise, 
during the enforcement period the drawspan will be closed to navigation 
for 4-hour periods after which time it will open for navigation if 
vessels are present. The bridge will continue to operate with an 
opening after each 4-hour closure until regular operations are resumed 
at 6 a.m., July 18 and July 25, 2005, respectively. There are no 
alternate routes for vessels transiting through mile 383.9 on the Upper 
Mississippi River.
    The Fort Madison Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 13.1 
feet above normal pool. 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 operations 
as soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 29, 2005.
Roger K. Wiebusch,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-7208 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
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