[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62367-62368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21778]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0858]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Black Warrior River, Eutaw, 
Alabama

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical 
lift span bridge across the Black Warrior River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw, 
Greene County, Alabama. This deviation is necessary to install drive 
motors necessary for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for two (2) three-hour 
periods daily, Monday through Thursday for two consecutive weeks. 
Additionally, this deviation allows the bridge to be closed 
continuously eight hours nightly on the following week, Monday evening 
through Friday morning. This deviation is necessary to install new 
bushings to the primary drive axle.

DATES: This deviation is effective from September 19, 2016 through 
October 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0682] 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 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Corporation requested a 
temporary deviation in order to perform maintenance on the Norfolk 
Southern Railroad vertical lift span bridge across the Black Warrior 
River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw, Greene County, Alabama. This deviation 
allows the bridge owner to install drive motors necessary to improve 
reliability and safe operation of the movable bridge and install new 
bushings to the primary drive axle. This temporary deviation allows the 
bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and 
from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. daily, Monday through Thursday, September 19, 
2016

[[Page 62368]]

through September 22, 2016 and September 26, 2016 through September 29, 
2016. The following week of October 3, 2016 through October 7, 2016 the 
deviation will allow the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 
p.m. until 4 a.m. daily Monday evening through Friday morning.
    The Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical lift span drawbridge 
currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the 
general requirement that the drawbridge shall open on signal. The 
bridge has a vertical clearance of 18.3 feet above Bridge Reference 
Elevation for Navigation Clearance (BRENC), elevation 99.2 feet, in the 
closed-to-navigation position and 72 feet above BRENC in the open-to-
navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of 
tugs with tows and occasional recreational craft. The Coast Guard has 
coordinated this temporary deviation with the Warrior-Tombigbee 
Waterway Association (WTWA). The WTWA representative indicated that the 
vessel operators will be able to schedule transits through the bridge 
such that operations will not significantly be hindered. Thus, it has 
been determined that this temporary deviation will not have a 
significant effect on these vessels.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at anytime and should pass at the slowest safe speed. The bridge 
will be able to open for emergencies and there are no immediate 
alternate routes 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.
    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: September 6, 2016.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-21778 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P