[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1405-1406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-170]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1160]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 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 384 (Grand Lake) pontoon bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway, mile 231.4 West of Harvey Locks, at Grand Lake, Cameron 
Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to allow for the safe 
movement of the increased vehicular traffic crossing the bridge due to 
another bridge in the area being temporarily removed from service. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation during the 
morning and evening rush hours Monday through Saturday for three 
months.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6:30 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 
2012 until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1160 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1160 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They

[[Page 1406]]

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 email David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch; telephone 
(504) 671-2128, email [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 (LDOTD) has requested a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule for the Grand Lake Pontoon Bridge across the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 231.5 west of Harvey Lock (WHL), at Grand 
Lake, Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The deviation will allow the bridge to 
remain closed to navigation from 6:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. and from 3 p.m. 
until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning on Monday, January 9, 2012 
and continuing until Friday, March 30, 2012. The purpose of the 
deviation is to allow for increased vehicular traffic to safely cross 
the bridge during the morning and evening rush hours. LDOTD is 
temporarily removing the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge from service to 
conduct repairs to the barge. The bridge is located six miles upstream 
from the Grand Lake Bridge and is the only other vehicular crossing 
over the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
    The pontoon bridge has no vertical clearance in the closed-to-
navigation position. The bridge normally opens to pass navigation an 
average of 1005 times a month. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, the 
bridge opens on signal for the passage of vessels. The bridge will be 
able to open for emergencies during the closure period.
    Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows and 
some fishing vessels. The delay of up to four hours for six weeks will 
not have a significant effect on these vessels. No practical alternate 
route is readily available. Notices will be published in the Eighth 
Coast Guard District Local Notice to Mariners and will be broadcast via 
the Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to Mariners System.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed 
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as 
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: December 20, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-170 Filed 1-9-12; 8:45 am]
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