[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57353-57354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26094]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-1038]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Rigolets Pass, Slidell, 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 CSX Railroad Bridge across the 
Rigolets Pass, mile 0.0, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. This deviation 
is necessary to perform maintenance for the continued safe operation of 
the bridge. This deviation allows for the bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position on December 12, 2017, through December 
15, 2017. It further requires a one-hour advance notice for openings to 
facilitate passage of vessel traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on certain 
dates from December 18, 2017 through January 12, 2018.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 4 a.m. on December 12, 2017, 
through 5 p.m. on January 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-1038] 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 T. MacDonald, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CSX Transportation requested a temporary 
deviation from the operating schedule of the CSX Railroad Swing Bridge 
across Rigolets Pass, mile 0.0, near Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, 
Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to replace the center pivot 
bearing and the wedge machinery on the south center and southwest end 
of the swing span.
    For the purposes of this deviation, the bridge will be allowed to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 4 a.m. on Tuesday, 
December 12, 2017, through 4 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2017, and a 
one-hour advance notice for openings to facilitate passage of vessel 
traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., each day, on December 18, 2017, through 
December 22, 2017, and from January 2, 2018 through January 12, 2018. 
At all other times the bridge will operate in accordance with 33 CFR 
117.5.
    The vertical clearance of the bridge is 14.5 feet above mean low 
water (MLW), elevation 11.9 feet above mean high water (MHW) in the 
closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of 
tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels and some recreational 
crafts.
    For the duration of the repair work, vessels will not be allowed to 
pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position and will 
not be able to open for emergencies. The alternate route for vessels to 
pass is the Pearl

[[Page 57354]]

River. 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 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.

    Dated: November 29, 2017.
Douglas A. Blakemore,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-26094 Filed 12-4-17; 8:45 am]
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