
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 82 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23913-23914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09729]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0267]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, 
New Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
regulation governing the operation of the SR 46 (St. Claude Avenue) 
bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 
6.2 East of Harvey Lock) in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. 
This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation 
for 24 consecutive hours within an eight day window of opportunity to 
conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on May 10, 2014, through 
6 a.m. on May 18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0267] 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 rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of 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 Jim Wetherington, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
james.r.wetherington@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board of Commissioners of the Port of 
New Orleans has requested a temporary deviation in order to perform 
maintenance on the operating strut guides of the bridge. These repairs 
are necessary for the continued operation of the bridge. This deviation 
allows the draw of the St. Claude Avenue bascule bridge across the 
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey 
Lock), to remain closed to navigation for 24 consecutive hours between 
6 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2014 and 6 a.m. Sunday, May 11, 2014. Work 
on the bridge will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2014. If for 
any reason, the work cannot be accomplished on May 10 and 11, 2014, the 
work will be postponed for one week and the same schedule will be used 
beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014 and continuing through 6 
a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014.
    Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be used to update mariners of any 
changes in this deviation.
    The bascule bridge has a vertical clearance of 1 foot above high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway 
consists mainly of tugs with tows and some ships. The bridge normally 
opens to pass navigation an average of eight times during the deviation 
period. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.458(a), the draw of the bridge 
shall open on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 
3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, 
the draw need not open for the passage of vessels. Normally, the draw 
is required to open at any time for a vessel in distress. However, the 
bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the closure 
period. No alternate routes are available.
    The Port and the Coast Guard have coordinated the closure with 
waterway users, industry, and other Coast Guard units. These dates and 
this schedule were chosen to minimize the significant effects on vessel 
traffic.

[[Page 23914]]

    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their regular operating schedules 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: April 14, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-09729 Filed 4-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


