[Federal Register: October 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 208)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 61059]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29oc07-8]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-07-031]
RIN 1625-AA09

 
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Rigolets Pass, Mile 6.2, Between 
Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
U.S. 90 Swing Bridge across Rigolets Pass, mile 6.2, between Orleans 
and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana. This deviation will allow the draw 
of the U.S. 90 Swing Bridge to remain in the closed to navigation 
position until January 15, 2007.

DATES: This deviation is effective from October 16, 2007 until January 
15, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at 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) 671-2128. The Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge 
Administration Branch, maintains the public docket for this temporary 
deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bart Marcules, Bridge Administration 
Branch, telephone (504) 671-2128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. 90 Swing Bridge located on Rigolets 
Pass at mile 6.2 between Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana 
has a vertical clearance of 9 feet above mean high water, elevation 2.0 
feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) in the closed position and unlimited in the 
open position. The U.S. 90 Swing Bridge opens on signal as required by 
33 CFR 117.5, and this operating schedule has been in effect since 
1927.
    Due to the fact that a replacement bridge is in the final stages of 
construction and will be open to traffic shortly the significant costs 
and time to repair the U.S. 90 Swing Bridge is prohibitive. The repairs 
will take several months to complete and the new bridge will be open to 
traffic in three months. The cost of repair is estimated at $250,000 to 
$500,000 which is an excessive burden on the taxpayers for one month's 
use of the U.S. 90 Swing Bridge before it is taken out of service. 
Thus, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has 
requested that a Temporary Deviation be granted until the new bridge is 
open for traffic.
    The deviation period will be from October 16, 2007 until January 
15, 2007, and the U.S. 90 Swing Bridge will be allowed to stay in the 
closed to navigation position. Small boats can still transit under the 
U.S. 90 Swing Bridge in the closed to navigation position. This bridge 
will not be able to open for emergencies.
    Since mariners can use the Chef Menteur Pass to access the Gulf of 
Mexico from Lake Pontchartrain with minimal difference in transit time 
there are no expected impacts.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: October 16, 2007.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-21242 Filed 10-26-07; 8:45 am]

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