[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43054-43055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20514]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0537]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Red River Waterway, Torras, LA

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 
LA 15 Highway Drawbridge across the Red River Waterway, mile 1.0, near 
Torras, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to allow time for 
conducting needed maintenance to the bridge. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for a two week 
period.

[[Page 43055]]


DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 19, 2009, to 
5 p.m. on October 30, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0537 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, selecting the Advanced Docket 
Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0537 
in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in 
the Docket ID column. They are also available for inspections or 
copying at 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,

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard; 
(314) 269-2378, [email protected]. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development requested a temporary deviation for the LA 15 Highway 
Drawbridge, across the Red River Waterway, Mile 1.0, near Torras, 
Louisiana, to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for a two-
week period to facilitate critical maintenance. The LA 15 Highway 
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 remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position and is effective from 7 a.m., October 19, 2009, to 5 p.m., 
October 30, 2009.
    Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows 
and recreational watercraft. Access from the Lower Mississippi River to 
the Atchafalaya River, Red River Waterway, and the Ouachita-Black 
Waterway is reached by passing under the subject bridge. Navigation 
will not be significantly impacted due to the scheduled closure of the 
Lower Old River Lock, at the same river mile as the subject bridge, for 
approximately 30 days commencing on or about October 15, 2009. The 
scheduled lock closure will preclude any requests for a bridge drawspan 
opening.
    The LA 15 Highway Drawbridge navigation span has a vertical 
clearance of 74.0 feet above zero gauge at the bridge in the closed-to-
navigation position. Performing maintenance on the bridge, when the 
number of vessels likely to be impacted is minimal, is preferred to 
bridge closure requirements during other times when the lock is 
operational. This temporary change to the drawbridge's operation has 
been coordinated with the commercial waterway operators and the Army 
Corps of Engineers.
    To get to Baton Rouge, Louisiana by an alternate route from the Red 
River Waterway, users may transit down the Atchafalaya River and up the 
Port Allen Route, adding approximately two days to the transit. For 
vessels going further north or south of Baton Rouge, additional time 
would be spent on the transit.
    This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. 
No objections were received.

    Dated: August 7, 2009.
Roger K. Wiebusch,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District (dwb).
[FR Doc. E9-20514 Filed 8-25-09; 8:45 am]
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