[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14399-14400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05537]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0114]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Pontchartrain, Between 
Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes, 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 
operating schedule that governs the draws of bascule span of the 
Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission Causeway across Lake 
Pontchartrain between Metairie, Jefferson Parish and Mandeville, St. 
Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This deviation allows the draws of the 
bridge to remain closed to navigation for six weeks to allow for the 
replacement of electrical parts of the bridge. This deviation is 
necessary to provide for the continued safe operation of the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5:30 a.m. on Monday March 24, 
2014 through 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0114] 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 David Frank, Bridge Administration 
Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Greater New Orleans Expressway 
Commission requested a temporary deviation from the published 
regulation for the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission Causeway 
bascule bridge across Lake Pontchartrain. The deviation allows the 
draws of the north bascule span to remain closed to

[[Page 14400]]

navigation for six consecutive weeks from 5:30 a.m. on Monday March 24, 
2014 through 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014 to facilitate the 
replacement of electrical components of the bridge.
    Presently, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.467(b), the draw of the 
Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission Causeway bascule bridge shall 
open on signal if at least three hours notice is given; except that the 
draw need not be open for the passage of vessels Monday through Fridays 
except Federal holidays, from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 
p.m.. The draw will open on signal for any vessel in distress or vessel 
waiting immediately following the closures listed above.
    The bascule span provides a vertical clearance of 42.6 feet above 
mean high water, elevation 2.6 feet NGVD in the closed-to-navigation 
position, and unlimited clearance in the open-to-navigation position. 
During the closure period, the bridge will not be able to open for 
vessels to transit through the bascule spans of the bridge. In case of 
an emergency, the bridge owner will be able to hand crank the draws of 
the bridge to the open-to-navigation position. As an alternate route, 
the south channel fixed spans of the bridge provide a vertical 
clearance of 50 feet above mean high water. Navigation on the waterway 
consists of small tugs with tows, fishing vessels, sailing vessels, and 
other recreational craft.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, the draw bridge 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: February 26, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-05537 Filed 3-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P