[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81465-81466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32871]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2015-0974]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des
Allemands, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Delay of effective date without notice for temporary deviation
from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is modifying the effective dates of a
published temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs
the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across
Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and
Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. This modification of the dates is
necessary due to weather delaying the scheduled rehabilitations. This
deviation allows the bridge to remain in its closed-to-navigation
position for three eight-hour periods during three consecutive days on
two separate occasions.
DATES: The deviation published December 11, 2015 (80 FR 76860) is
effective from 7 a.m. on January 20, 2016 through 3 p.m. on January 29,
2016.
ADDRESSES: The docket mentioned in the preamble as being available in
the docket are part of the docket USCG-2015-0974 and are 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 Specialist,
Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 11, 2015, the Coast Guard
published a notice of temporary deviation from regulations entitled,
``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des Allemands,
LA'' in the Federal Register (80 FR 76860). The Burlington Northern
Santa Fe Railroad requested this temporary deviation from the operating
schedule of the swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile
14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana,
for January 13 through 22, 2016, to perform the rehabilitation. Due to
the weather issues, preparations for the rehabilitation were delayed so
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a modification to the
effective dates from January 20 through 29, 2016.
The bridge has a vertical clearance of three feet above mean high
water in the closed-to-navigation position and unlimited in the open-
to-navigation position.
The draw currently operates under 33 CFR 117.440(b). For purposes
of this deviation, the bridge will not be required to open from 7 a.m.
to 3 p.m. daily for two three-day periods, January 20 through 22 and
January 27 through 29, 2016. At all other times, the bridge will
operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.440(b).
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a modification
to the effective dates of the temporary deviation for the operation of
the drawbridge to delay the previously approved deviation to
accommodate rehabilitation work involving rest pivot
[[Page 81466]]
piers and the future swing span change out, an extensive but necessary
maintenance operation. The reason for the request is that poor weather
has delayed the preparatory work necessary to accomplish the
modification to the rest piers. Navigation on the waterway consists of
tugs with tows, fishing vessels and recreational crafts.
The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users,
industry, and other Coast Guard units and determined that this closure
will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic.
During this deviation for bridge rehabilitation, vessels will not
be allowed to pass through the bridge during the eight-hour closures
each day as stated above. Many of the vessels that currently require an
opening of the draw will be able to pass using the opposite channel
from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. when the deviations are not in effect. The bridge
will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate
alternate route 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 so that
vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the
temporary deviation.
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 24, 2015.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-32871 Filed 12-29-15; 8:45 am]
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