[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5983-5984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2349]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2008-1191]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, 
Dubuque, 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 
Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi 
River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to 
allow time for conducting needed maintenance and repairs to the bridge. 
This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours 
advance notice is given.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m., January 15, 2009 
until 8 a.m., March 1, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-1191 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov. They are also 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 Robert A. 
Young Federal Building, Room 2.107f, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 
63103-2832, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge 
Administrator, (314) 269-2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Canadian National Railway Company 
requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad 
Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, Mile 579.9, at Dubuque, 
Iowa to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given to 
facilitate critical bridge repair and annual maintenance. The Illinois 
Central Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that drawbridges shall 
open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to 
open is given in accordance with the subpart. In order to facilitate 
the needed bridge work, the drawbridge must be kept in the closed-to-
navigation position. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal 
if at least 24 hours advance notice is given from 12:01 a.m., January 
15, 2009 until 8 a.m., March 1, 2009.
    Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows 
and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted due 
to the reduced navigation in winter months. Winter conditions on the 
Upper Mississippi River will preclude any significant navigation 
demands for the drawspan opening.
    The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge navigation span has a 
vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above normal pool in the closed to 
navigation position. Performing maintenance on the bridge and pier 
protection during the winter, when the number of vessels likely to be 
impacted is minimal, is preferred to the bridge closure or advance 
notification requirements during the navigation season. This temporary 
change to the drawbridge's operation has been coordinated with the 
commercial waterway operators.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section 
of the Upper Mississippi River.

[[Page 5984]]

    This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. 
No objections were received.

    Dated: January 7, 2009.
Roger K. Wiebusch,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District (dwb).
[FR Doc. E9-2349 Filed 2-3-09; 8:45 am]
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