[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 8 (Monday, January 13, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2098-2099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00279]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-1041]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Vermillion River, Abbeville, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
regulation that governs the State Road (SR) 14 Bridge across the 
Vermilion River, mile 25.4, at Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. 
The deviation is necessary to affect replacement of the wire rope 
cables. This is part of the normal maintenance that is required for 
safe operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain closed to navigation for 14 consecutive days.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on January 20, 2014 to 7 
p.m. on February 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-1041] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email James Wetherington, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone 504-671-2128, email 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development requested a temporary deviation from the normal 
operation of the SR 14 Vermilion River, mile 25.4, at Abbeville, 
Vermilion Parish, Louisiana in order to remove and replace the wire 
rope cables required to operate the bridge. This maintenance is 
essential for the continued safe operation of the vertical lift bridge. 
This temporary deviation allows the bridge to remain closed from 6 a.m. 
on January 20, 2014 through 7 p.m. on February 2, 2014.
    The bridge has a vertical clearance of 6 feet above mean gulf 
(MGL), elevation 0.0 feet (NGVD 29), in the closed-to-navigation 
position and 61 feet in the open-to-navigation position.
    In accordance with to 33 CFR 117.509(b)(1), the draw of the SR 14 
Bridge, mile 25.4, shall open on signal; except that, from 6 p.m. to 10 
a.m. the draw shall open on signal if at least four hour notice is 
given. The draw will be unable to open for a vessel in distress.
    Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of commercial tug and 
barge traffic. The bridge logs for all of January and February show 26 
and 50 openings respectively. The time period for the deviation is the 
slow time for the commercial entities that would be most affected. As a 
result of coordination between the State, Coast Guard and the waterway 
users, it has been determined that this closure will not have a 
significant effect on these vessels.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may 
do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies. 
There are no alternate routes for vessels that cannot pass through the 
bridge in the closed-to-navigation position. The Coast Guard will also 
inform the users of the waterways through our Local and

[[Page 2099]]

Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for 
the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any 
impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: December 19, 2013.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-00279 Filed 1-10-14; 8:45 am]
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