[Federal Register: April 13, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 69)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16781]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ap09-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[USCG-2009-0228]
Drawbridge Operating Regulations; Back Bay of Biloxi, Biloxi, MS
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
I-110 bascule span bridge across the Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 3.0, in
Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation provides for the
bridge to remain closed to navigation for two (2) two-hour periods
daily to facilitate the movement of vehicular traffic.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 6:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27,
2009 until 6 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0228 and are available online
at http: //www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection
or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Frank, Bridge Administration
Branch, telephone (504) 671-2128.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mississippi Department of Transportation
(MDOT) has requested a temporary deviation in order to improve the
traffic flow of vehicles over the I-110 bascule bridge across the Back
Bay of Biloxi, mile 3.0, in Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi. On
Friday, March 20, 2009, the Popps Ferry Bridge across the Back Bay of
Biloxi, mile 8.0 was damaged by a vessel allision, rendering the
drawbridge inoperable for an estimated period of six months. Vehicular
traffic that would normally transit across the Popps Ferry Bridge was
required to find alternate routes to cross the Back Bay of Biloxi. A
significant amount of these vehicles are now required to use the I-110
Bridge until the Popps Ferry Bridge is returned to service. MDOT, at
the request of the local government, has requested that the draw of the
I-110 bridge remain closed to navigation from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
and from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily for a period of 180 days or until
the Popps Ferry Bridge is returned to service, whichever occurs first.
Presently, as per 33 CFR 117.675(a), the draw of the I-110 bridge,
mile 3.0 at Biloxi shall open on signal if at least six hours notice is
given. The vertical clearance of the drawbridge in the closed-to-
navigation position is 60 feet above mean high water.
Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, commercial
fishing vessels and recreational powerboats and sailboats. Due to the
amount of vertical clearance of the drawbridge in the closed-to-
navigation position, this deviation should have a minimal effect on
vessels transiting the waterway. No alternate route is available.
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: March 27, 2009.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-8267 Filed 4-10-09; 8:45 am]
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