[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 78978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31856]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket Number USCG-2015-1087]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Rock
Island, IL
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 Rock Island Railroad and Highway
Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock
Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner
time to perform preventive maintenance and critical repairs that are
essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge, and is
scheduled in the winter when there is less impact on navigation. This
deviation allows the bridge to be maintained in the closed-to-
navigation position for 21 days.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m., February 8, 2016 until
5 p.m., February 28, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-1087] 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 Eric A. Washburn, Bridge
Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2378,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal requested
a temporary deviation for the Rock Island Railroad and Highway
Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock
Island, Illinois to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for 21
days from 8 a.m., February 8, 2016 to 5 p.m., February 28, 2016, while
preventive maintenance and critical repairs that are essential to the
continued safe operation of the drawbridge are performed.
The Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge currently operates
in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement
that the drawbridge shall open on signal.
There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section
of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridge cannot open in case of
emergency.
Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the
closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 13 (Mile 522.5 UMR) and
Lock No. 21 (Mile 324.9 UMR) from 7 a.m. January 4, 2016 until 12 p.m.,
March 4, 2016 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the
drawspan opening. In addition, Army Corps Lock No. 14 (Mile 493.3 UMR)
and Lock No. 17 (Mile 437.1 UMR) will be closed from 7 a.m. December
14, 2015 until 12 p.m. March 2, 2016.
The Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge provides a vertical
clearance of 23.8 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation
position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial
tows and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly
impacted. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway
users. No objections were received.
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: December 15, 2015.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2015-31856 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P