[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62825-62826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25006]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0910]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Houma Navigation Canal, Houma, 
Terrebonne Parish, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the SR 661 Swing Bridge across the 
Houma Navigation Canal, mile 36.0, in Houma, Terrebonne Parish, 
Louisiana. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to 
navigation for up to four hours at a time during daylight hours for the 
purpose of conducting necessary maintenance and repairs to the 
drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from October 23, 2014 to January 7, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0910] 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 rulemaking. 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 Jim 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.

[[Page 62826]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development (LDOTD) requested a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule of the SR 661 Swing Bridge across the Houma 
Navigation Canal, mile 36.0, in Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. 
The deviation was requested for the purpose of conducting necessary 
repairs, including reinstallation of structural and mechanical 
components of the bridge. Exact dates for the maintenance and repairs 
requiring this deviation are not yet known. Local Notices to Mariners 
(LNM) and Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNM) will provide at least 48 
hours notification before the deviation begins.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.455, the bridge currently opens on 
signal; except that, the draw need not open for the passage of vessels 
Monday through Friday except Federal holidays from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 
a.m., from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., from 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., and 
from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. This deviation allows the draw of the SR 
661 Swing Bridge across the Houma Navigation Canal, mile 36.0, in 
Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, to remain closed to navigation for 
up to four hours each day between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. for a 17 day 
period. This 17 day period will occur sometime between October 23, 2014 
and January 7, 2015. During this deviation, the bridge will remain open 
to navigation from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. daily. During these closures, 
the contractor will make every effort to minimize the delays to 
mariners as well as maintain the bridge in the open-to-navigation 
position all times when that repair work is not being conducted. These 
repairs require the bridge to be removed from power and operated by air 
tuggers in order for the work to be done. These repairs are necessary 
for the continued operation of the bridge.
    The vertical clearance of the swing bridge in the closed-to-
navigation position is 1.0 foot and unlimited in the open-to-navigation 
position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial 
tugs and recreational craft. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in 
the closed positions may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to 
open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route. The 
Coast Guard will provide waterway users the dates and times affected 
through LNMs and BNMs throughout this temporary 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: October 2, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-25006 Filed 10-20-14; 8:45 am]
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