[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 119 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13865]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2008-0523]


Drawbridge Operating Regulations; Sabine Lake, Port Arthur, TX

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 
State Route 82 (SR 82) swing span bridge across Sabine Lake at mile 9.5 
between Cameron Parish, Louisiana and Jefferson County, Texas. This 
deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for 19 
consecutive days to reverse the direction of the swing span to 
facilitate construction of a new replacement bridge adjacent to the 
existing swing span bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008 
until 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0523 and are available for 
inspection or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility 
(M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays, and 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration 
Branch, telephone (504) 671-2128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Texas Department of Transportation 
(TXDOT) has requested a temporary deviation in order to reverse the 
direction of the swing span of the SR 82 Bridge across Sabine Lake at 
mile 9.5 between Cameron Parish, Louisiana and Jefferson County, Texas. 
This procedure is necessary to prevent the swing span from conflicting 
with the footings and columns being placed for the new replacement 
bridge, currently under construction. This temporary deviation will 
allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 5 
a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008 until 5 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008. 
During the closure period, the draw will not be able to open for 
emergencies. Currently, the draw opens on signal; except that, from 9 
p.m. to 5 a.m., the draw opens on signal if at least six hours notice 
is given to the Maintenance Construction Supervisor at Port Arthur.
    Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows and 
recreational powerboats and sailboats. The bridge provides 9 feet of 
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position. Thus, smaller 
recreational vessels will be able to transit through the bridge when it 
is closed. Tugs with tows and sailboats will not be able to pass 
through the bridge during this closure. An alternate route is available 
through the north passage into Sabine Lake from Sabine Neches Canal by 
Stewts Island. Due to the availability of an alternate route, it has 
been determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on 
these vessels. This closure is considered necessary for placement of 
the new bridge pier footers, while allowing future operation of the 
swing span during subsequent phases of construction.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: June 10, 2008.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8-13865 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
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