[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66621-66622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26531]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0960]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Belle Chasse, 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 Louisiana State Route 23 (SR 23) 
vertical lift span bridge, also known as the Judge Perez Bridge, across 
the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at 
Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is 
necessary to provide for the safe movement of vehicular traffic during 
major plant reconstruction on one side of the waterway and the 
resulting change in work schedule and increase in workforce transiting 
the bridge. This

[[Page 66622]]

deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily closed to navigation 
for an additional one hour in the evening during weekdays for two 
months.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 
26, 2014 through 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0960] 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: A member of the Louisiana State Legislature 
requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule on the 
Louisiana State Route 23 (SR 23) vertical lift span bridge, also known 
as the Judge Perez Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 
(Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines 
Parish, Louisiana. The deviation requested allows the bridge to remain 
closed to navigation for an additional one hour in the evening, Monday 
through Friday, for two months. This same deviation was effective from 
early March 2014 through April 2014, and no issues resulted.
    The Louisiana Legislature requested this deviation due to a change 
in the work schedule and increased work force related to a major plant 
reconstruction at the Conoco/Phillips Refinery in Alliance. During this 
change, a temporary deviation will assist in the safe movement of 
vehicular traffic across the bridge and will also help to minimize the 
effects of the additional traffic on local residents.
    Presently, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(b), the draw shall 
open on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the 
draw need not open for the passage of vessels.
    This temporary deviation allows the vertical lift bridge to remain 
closed to navigation for one additional hour in the afternoon. This 
additional hour extends the afternoon curfew hours to 6:30 p.m. Monday 
through Friday beginning December 26, 2014 through February 20, 2015. 
In case of an emergency, the bridge will be able to open for the 
passage of vessels.
    The State Route 23 vertical lift span drawbridge across the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle 
Chasse, Louisiana has a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position and 100 feet above mean high 
water in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway 
consists primarily of tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels, and 
occasional recreational craft. Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway (Harvey Canal) to avoid unnecessary delays. The Coast Guard 
has coordinated this closure with the Gulf Intracoastal Canal 
Association (GICA). The GICA representative indicated that the vessel 
operators will be able to schedule transits through the bridge to avoid 
delays and significant impacts on operations. Due to prior experience, 
as well as coordination with waterway users, it has been determined 
that this closure will not have a significant effect on these vessels.
    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: October 27, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-26531 Filed 11-7-14; 8:45 am]
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