[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62367-62368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21778]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2016-0858]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Black Warrior River, Eutaw,
Alabama
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 Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical
lift span bridge across the Black Warrior River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw,
Greene County, Alabama. This deviation is necessary to install drive
motors necessary for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This
deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for two (2) three-hour
periods daily, Monday through Thursday for two consecutive weeks.
Additionally, this deviation allows the bridge to be closed
continuously eight hours nightly on the following week, Monday evening
through Friday morning. This deviation is necessary to install new
bushings to the primary drive axle.
DATES: This deviation is effective from September 19, 2016 through
October 7, 2016.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0682] 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 Norfolk Southern Corporation requested a
temporary deviation in order to perform maintenance on the Norfolk
Southern Railroad vertical lift span bridge across the Black Warrior
River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw, Greene County, Alabama. This deviation
allows the bridge owner to install drive motors necessary to improve
reliability and safe operation of the movable bridge and install new
bushings to the primary drive axle. This temporary deviation allows the
bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and
from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. daily, Monday through Thursday, September 19,
2016
[[Page 62368]]
through September 22, 2016 and September 26, 2016 through September 29,
2016. The following week of October 3, 2016 through October 7, 2016 the
deviation will allow the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8
p.m. until 4 a.m. daily Monday evening through Friday morning.
The Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical lift span drawbridge
currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the
general requirement that the drawbridge shall open on signal. The
bridge has a vertical clearance of 18.3 feet above Bridge Reference
Elevation for Navigation Clearance (BRENC), elevation 99.2 feet, in the
closed-to-navigation position and 72 feet above BRENC in the open-to-
navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of
tugs with tows and occasional recreational craft. The Coast Guard has
coordinated this temporary deviation with the Warrior-Tombigbee
Waterway Association (WTWA). The WTWA representative indicated that the
vessel operators will be able to schedule transits through the bridge
such that operations will not significantly be hindered. Thus, it has
been determined that this temporary deviation will not have a
significant effect on these vessels.
Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may
do so at anytime and should pass at the slowest safe speed. The bridge
will be able to open for emergencies and there are no immediate
alternate routes 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.
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: September 6, 2016.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-21778 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
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