[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 20 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5040-5041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01729]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0038]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Pontchartrain, Near New 
Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the US 11 bascule bridge across Lake 
Pontchartrain, mile 4.75, between New Orleans and Slidell, Orleans and 
St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to 
accommodate the Louisiana Paradise Bridge Run event. The deviation will 
allow the draw of the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position during the event.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6:45 a.m. through 8:45 a.m. on 
February 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0038] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov.

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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Slidell Memorial Hospital Foundation, 
through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development 
(LDOTD), requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule of 
the US 11 bascule bridge across Lake Pontchartrain, mile 4.75, between 
New Orleans and Slidell, Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana. 
The deviation was requested to allow the draw of the bridge to remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position during the Louisiana Paradise 
Bridge Run event. The vertical clearance of the vertical lift span 
bridge is 13 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation 
position and 61 feet in the open-to-navigation position. The bridge is 
governed by 33 CFR 117.5.
    This deviation is effective on February 20, 2016 from 6:45 a.m. 
through 8:45 a.m. The deviation will allow the draw of the bridge to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the Bridge Run 
event.
    Navigation on the waterway consists of small tugs with and without 
tows, commercial vessels, and recreational craft, including sailboats.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position 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 also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for 
the bridge.
    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.


[[Page 5041]]


    Dated: January 26, 2016.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-01729 Filed 1-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P