[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28602]



[[Page 72140]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-1012]


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 (LA 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 deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily 
closed to navigation for an additional one hour in the evening during 
weekdays for five weeks.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from December 
5, 2014 through 6:30 p.m. on December 25, 2014. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 5:30 p.m. on November 24, 
2014, until December 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-1012] 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: On November 10, 2014, a Notice of Temporary 
Deviation entitled, ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway, Belle Chasse, LA'' was published in the Federal 
Register. 79 FR 66621.
    That temporary deviation allowed for the Louisiana State Route 23 
(LA 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, to 
remain closed to navigation for an additional one hour in the evenings 
from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from December 26, 2014, through February 
20, 2015.
    Subsequent to publication, the Sheriff of Plaquemines Parish 
requested by letter dated November 18, 2014, that the additional one 
hour deviation commence immediately because of major safety concerns 
with regard to parish residents and the ability of emergency vehicles 
to transit the area. The Sheriff of Plaquemines Parish indicated that 
the area has experienced increased traffic during a construction pre-
shut down phase at the Phillips 66 plant.
    The deviation requested allows the bridge to remain closed to 
navigation for an additional one hour in the evening, Monday through 
Friday, effecting a total deviation period from Friday, November 24, 
2014, through Friday, February 20, 2015. Coordination with local Coast 
Guard and waterway users was conducted, and immediate commencement of 
the deviation will not have a significant impact on mariners.
    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 November 24, 2014 through December 25, 2014. 
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 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: November 24, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-28602 Filed 12-4-14; 8:45 am]
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