[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8653-8654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3356]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0067]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, New 
Orleans Harbor, Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, New Orleans, Orleans 
Parish, 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 
SR 39 (Judge Seeber/Claiborne Avenue) vertical lift bridge across the 
Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, mile 0.9, (Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 
mile 6.7 East of Harvey Lock), at New Orleans, Orleans Parish, 
Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to replace all of the deck 
plating and stringers on the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge 
to remain closed during the day except for two (2) scheduled openings 
per day during the entire length of the closure.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 
2011 until 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-0935 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-0935 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search.'' They are also available 
for inspection 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 Mr. Jim Wetherington, Bridge Specialist, Eighth Coast 
Guard District Bridge Branch, US Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128 or 
e-mail [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing 
the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to perform necessary maintenance, 
the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has 
requested a temporary deviation from the published regulation for the 
SR 39 (Judge Seeber/Claiborne Avenue) vertical lift bridge across the 
Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, mile 0.9, (GIWW mile 6.7 EHL). The 
bridge provides 40 feet of vertical clearance when closed above mean 
high water, and 156 feet above MHW in the open-to-navigation position. 
Currently, under 33 CFR 117.458(a), the draw of the bridge shall open 
on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 
5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, the draw need not be open for the 
passage of vessels. The draw shall open at any time for a vessel in 
distress.
    This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation 
from 6:30 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. from April 2, 2011 through May 21, 2011. 
However, during these times, the bridge will open for the passage of 
vessels at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. From 5:45 p.m. until 6:30 a.m., 
the bridge will remain in the open-to-navigation position or will open 
on signal. Exact times and dates for the closures will be published in 
the Local Notice to Mariners and broadcast via the Coast Guard 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners system.
    Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows and 
ships. The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, 
industry, and other Coast Guard units. These dates and this schedule 
were chosen to minimize the significant effects on vessel traffic; 
however, vessels that can pass under the bridge in the closed-to-
navigation position can do so any anytime. The bridge will not be able 
to open for emergencies.

[[Page 8654]]

    The bridge 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: February 3, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-3356 Filed 2-14-11; 8:45 am]
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