[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 32 (Friday, February 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10960-10961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03186]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0071]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atchafalaya River, Morgan City, 
LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Morgan City Railroad Bridge across 
the Atchafalaya River (also known as Berwick Bay), mile 17.5 [Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route), mile 
0.3] in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is 
necessary to perform maintenance needed for the continued safe 
operation of the bridge. This deviation allows for the bridge to remain 
closed-to-navigation for two (2) separate two-day periods between 
Thursday, March 9, 2017, and Friday, March 17, 2017.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. Thursday, March 9, 2017, 
through 9 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0071] 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 BNSF Railway requested a temporary 
deviation from the operating schedule of the Morgan City Railroad 
vertical lift drawbridge across Atchafalaya River, (aka Berwick Bay), 
mile 17.5 [GIWW (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route), mile 0.3] in 
Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to 
install new Conley joints, transition rails and track panels on the 
west side of the bridge's north and south rails.
    For the purposes of this deviation, the bridge will be allowed to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. each 
day. From 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. the bridge will be opened for the 
passage of vessels. The bridge will again be closed-to-navigation from 
2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This schedule will occur for two (2) separate two-
day periods, on March 9 through 10, and on March 16 through March 17, 
2017. At all other times the bridge will operate in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.5.
    The vertical clearance of the bridge is 4 feet above mean high 
water (MHW), elevation 8.2 feet above MHW in the closed-to-navigation 
position and 73 feet above MHW in open-to-navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, oil industry 
related work and crew boats, commercial fishing vessels and some 
recreational crafts.
    Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do 
so at anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and the 
Morgan City-Port Allen Landside route through Amelia, LA can be used as 
an alternate route. The Coast Guard will 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 vessel operators 
can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the 
temporary deviation.
    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.


[[Page 10961]]


    Dated: February 13, 2017.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-03186 Filed 2-16-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P