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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Highway Administration

# AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic 5                         3/8                        ″ stud link chain for a Recovery Act bridge replacement project in Larose, Louisiana.                    

# DATES:

The effective date of the waiver is August 23, 2011.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        For questions about this notice, please contact Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of Program Administration, (202) 366-1562, or via e-mail at                         *gerald.yakowenko@dot.gov*. For legal questions, please contact Mr. Michael Harkins, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4928, or via e-mail at                         *michael.harkins@dot.gov*. Office hours for the FHWA are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Electronic Access

                    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the                     **Federal Register's**                     home page at:                     *http://www.archives.gov*                     and the Government Printing Office's database at:                     *http://www.access.gpo.gov/​nara*.                

## Background

                    The FHWA's Buy America policy in 23 CFR 635.410 requires a domestic manufacturing process for any steel or iron products (including protective coatings) that are permanently incorporated in a Federal-aid construction project. The regulation also provides for a waiver of the Buy America requirements when the application would be inconsistent with the public interest or when satisfactory quality domestic steel and iron products are not sufficiently available. This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate to use non-domestic 5                     3/8                    ″ stud link chain on a Federal-aid project in Larose, Louisiana.                

                    In accordance with Division A, section 123 of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010” (Pub. L. 111-117), the FHWA published a notice of intent to issue a waiver on its Web site (                    *http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/​construction/​contracts/​waivers.cfm?​id=​56*) on April 12th. The FHWA received three comments in response to the publication. Two of the comments inquired for more detailed information about the project and the purpose of using the stud link chain on the project. The third comment, by the Louisiana Department of Transportation, responded to the first two comments. The response provided additional information about the project, including the purpose for the use of the 5                     3/8                    ″ stud link chain. During the 15-day comment period, the FHWA conducted additional nationwide review to locate potential domestic manufacturers for 5                     3/8                    ″ stud link chain. Based on all the information available to the agency, the FHWA concludes that there are no domestic manufacturers of 5                     3/8                    ″ stud link chain.                

In accordance with the provisions of section 117 of the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-244, 122 Stat. 1572), the FHWA is providing this notice as its finding that a waiver of Buy America requirements is appropriate. The FHWA invites public comment on this finding for an additional 15 days following the effective date of the finding. Comments may be submitted to the FHWA's Web site via the link provided to the Louisiana page noted above.

(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110-161, 23 CFR 635.410)

Issued on: August 15, 2011.

Victor M. Mendez,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2011-21402 Filed 8-19-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-P