
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6208-6209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01942]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2013-0031]


Drawbridge Operating Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Belle Chasse, 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 Louisiana State Route 23 (LA 23) 
vertical lift span bridge, also known as the Judge Perez Bridge, across 
the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at 
Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This deviation is 
necessary to repair bridge machinery and to replace the wire ropes of 
the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to 
navigation for eight consecutive days in order to perform scheduled 
maintenance.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 24, 
2013, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this notice, docket number USCG-2013-0031, is 
available online. To view it, go to 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 notice of 
deviation. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room 
W12-140 on the ground floor of

[[Page 6209]]

the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email David Frank, Bridge Administration 
Branch, Coast Guard, telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
David.m.frank@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: C.E.C., Inc, on behalf of the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) has requested a 
temporary deviation in order to perform maintenance on the State Route 
23 (LA 23) vertical lift span bridge, also known as the Judge Perez 
Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate 
Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This 
maintenance is necessary to make mechanical repairs to the bridge and 
to replace the wire ropes on the bridge. This temporary deviation will 
allow the bridge to remain closed to navigation position continuously 
from 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2013, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 
4, 2013. During the closure the draw will not be able to open for 
emergencies. Currently, as specified in 33 CFR 117.451(b), the draw 
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 drawbridge 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) to avoid unnecessary delays. The Coast Guard 
has coordinated this closure with the Gulf Intracoastal Canal 
Association (GICA). The GICA 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 closure will not have a significant effect on 
these vessels. This closure is considered necessary for repair of 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: January 22, 2013.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-01942 Filed 1-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


