[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17560-17561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07383]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0018]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Belle Chasse, Louisiana

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 State Route 23 Bridge across the 
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at 
Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary 
to facilitate movement of vehicular traffic for the 2017 New Orleans 
Air Show to be held at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base 
at Belle Chasse, Louisiana. This deviation allows the bridge to remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position for several hours on two 
afternoons to accommodate the additional volume of vehicular traffic 
following the event.

DATES: This temporary deviation is effective from 4 p.m. on Saturday, 
April 22, 2017 through 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0018] 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 Giselle MacDonald, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone 504-671-2128, email 
[email protected].

[[Page 17561]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Navy requested a 
temporary deviation from the operating schedule of the State Route 23 
vertical lift span bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 
3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The 2017 New 
Orleans Air Show is being held on the weekend of April 22-23, 2017. The 
deviation will accommodate the anticipated vehicle traffic associated 
with the large amount of the general public that will attend this 
popular event. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain 
in the closed-to-navigation position from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on 
Saturday, April 22, 2017 and from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, 
April 23, 2017.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(b), the bridge currently opens on 
signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 
5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need 
not be opened for the passage of vessels.
    The State Route 23 vertical lift span bridge across the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle 
Chasse, Louisiana has a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position and 100 feet above mean high 
water in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway 
consists primarily of tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels, and 
occasional recreational craft. Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway (Harvey Canal) as an alternate.
    The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, 
industry, and other Coast Guard units. It has been determined that this 
closure will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic. The 
bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the closure 
period.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 31, 2017.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-07383 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am]
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