[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 233 (Friday, December 4, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75811-75812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30636]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0975]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, 
Clinton, IA

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 Clinton Railroad Drawbridge across 
the Mississippi River, mile 518.0, at Clinton, Iowa. The deviation is 
necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventative 
maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the 
drawbridge. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter when there is less 
impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when 
river traffic increases. This deviation allows the bridge to open on 
signal if at least 24-hours advance notice is given. It further allows 
the bridge to remain closed for up to 120 hours in duration 
occasionally between January 4, 2016 and February 19, 2016 to replace 
larger bridge components as long as 72-hours notice is given to the 
USCG District Eight Western Rivers Bridge Branch.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 p.m., December 15, 2015 until 
9 a.m., on March 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2015-0975) 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Eric A. Washburn, Bridge 
Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2378, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Union Pacific Railroad requested a 
temporary deviation for the Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, across the 
Upper Mississippi River, mile 518.0, at Clinton, Iowa to open on signal 
if at least 24-hours advance notice is given for 76 days from 5 p.m., 
December 15, 2015 to 9 a.m., March 1, 2016 for scheduled maintenance on 
the bridge. This deviation further allows the bridge to remain closed 
for up to 120 hours in

[[Page 75812]]

duration occasionally between January 4, 2016 and February 19, 2016 to 
replace larger bridge components as long as 72-hours notice is given to 
the USCG District Eight Western Rivers Bridge Branch.
    The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that the 
drawbridge shall open on signal.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section 
of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridge cannot open in case of 
emergency.
    The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 
18.7 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and 
recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted. This 
temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No 
objections were received.
    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: November 25, 2015.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2015-30636 Filed 12-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P