[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 33 (Friday, February 20, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3571]



[[Page 7818]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2009-0054]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Tennessee River, Decatur, AL

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 
Southern Railroad Drawbridge across the Tennessee River, mile 304.4, at 
Decatur, Alabama. The deviation is necessary to allow time for 
conducting needed maintenance and repairs to the bridge. This deviation 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed to navigation position and 
not open to vessel traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 
20, 2009 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 24, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0054 and are available online 
at www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspections 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 FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge 
Administrator, (314) 269-2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Railway requested a 
temporary deviation for the Southern Railroad Drawbridge, across the 
Tennessee River, Mile 304.4, at Decatur, Alabama to remain in the 
closed to navigation position for two 12 hour periods in order to 
facilitate critical bridge maintenance. The Southern 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 
for two 12 hour periods. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in 
the closed to navigation position and not open for vessel traffic from 
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 20, 2009 and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 
24, 2009.
    Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows 
and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted.
    The Southern Railroad Drawbridge navigation span has a vertical 
clearance of 10.52 feet above normal pool in the closed to navigation 
position. Performing necessary maintenance on the bridge is required to 
ensure the continued reliability of the lift span. 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 Tennessee River.
    This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. 
No objections were received.

    Dated: February 4, 2009.
Roger K. Wiebusch,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District (dwb).
[FR Doc. E9-3571 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]
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