[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76860-76861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31297]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0974]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des 
Allemands, 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 Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railroad swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, 
at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. This 
deviation is necessary to perform two extensive rest pier 
rehabilitations to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain in its closed-to-navigation position for three eight-hour 
periods during three consecutive days on two separate occasions.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 13, 2016 
through 3 p.m. on January 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0974] 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 Donna Gagliano, Bridge Specialist, 
Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad 
swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des 
Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana, has a 
vertical clearance of three feet above mean high water in the closed-
to-navigation position and unlimited in the open-to-navigation 
position.
    The draw currently operates under 33 CFR 117.440(b). For purposes 
of this deviation, the bridge will not be required to open from 7 a.m. 
to 3 p.m.

[[Page 76861]]

daily for two three-day periods, occurring January 13 through 15, and 
daily January 20 through 22, 2016. At all other times, the bridge will 
operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.440(b).
    The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a temporary 
deviation for the operation of the drawbridge to accommodate 
rehabilitation work involving rest pivot piers and swing span change 
out, an extensive but necessary maintenance operation. Navigation on 
the waterway consists of tugs with tows, fishing vessels and 
recreational crafts.
    The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, 
industry, and other Coast Guard units and determined that this closure 
will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic.
    During this deviation for bridge rehabilitation, vessels will not 
be allowed to pass through the bridge during the eight-hour closures 
each day as stated above. Many of the vessels that currently require an 
opening of the draw will be able to pass using the opposite channel 
from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. when the deviations are not in effect. The bridge 
will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate 
alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard will also inform 
the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners of the 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: December 7, 2015.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-31297 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P