[Federal Register: August 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 149)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46998-46999]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04au04-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08-04-030]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Berwick Bay--Atchafalaya River--
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City to Port Allen Alternate Route),
LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander Eighth Coast Guard District is issuing a
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
Burlington Northern & Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Vertical Lift Span
Railroad Bridge across Berwick Bay--Atchafalaya River, mile 17.5 and
the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City to Port Allen Alternate
Route, mile 0.4), at Morgan City, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. This
deviation will allow the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Company
to close the bridge to navigation from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each
[[Page 46999]]
day from Monday, August 16, 2004, through Wednesday, August 18, 2004,
to conduct necessary maintenance on the bridge.
DATES: This temporary deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on Monday,
August 16, 2004, until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this temporary deviation are
available for inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast
Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs Federal
Building, room 1313, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-
3310, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The telephone number is (504) 589-2965. The Eighth District
Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this
temporary deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration
Branch, telephone (504) 589-2965.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BNSF Railway Company requested a
temporary deviation from the normal operation of the drawbridge in
order to replace railroad rails on the lift span of the bridge. This
maintenance is essential for the continued safe transit of trains
across the bridge. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to
remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
each day from Monday, August 16, 2004, through Wednesday, August 18,
2004. In the event of an approaching tropical storm or hurricane, the
work will be rescheduled and the bridge will continue to operate
normally.
The bridge has a vertical clearance of 4 feet above high water in
the closed-to-navigation position and 73 feet above high water in the
open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of
tugs with tows, oil industry related work boats and crew boats,
commercial fishing vessels and some recreational craft. Since the lift
span of the bridge will only be closed for six hours per day for three
days, ample time will be allowed for commercial and recreational
vessels to schedule transits. For this reason, as well as considering
prior experience with similar closures of this bridge, it has been
determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on
these vessels. The Intracoastal Waterway--Morgan City to Port Allen
Route and the Landside Route, including Bayou Boeuf is an alternate
route for vessels not requiring greater than a 12-foot draft. The
bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the 6-hour per
day closure periods.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: July 22, 2004.
Marcus Redford,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-17688 Filed 8-3-04; 8:45 am]
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