[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10486-10487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5082]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0100]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Belle Chasse, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
SR 23 bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate 
Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This 
temporary rule is issued to facilitate movement of vehicular traffic 
for the 2009 N'Awlins Air Show, to be held at the U.S. Naval

[[Page 10487]]

Air Station, Joint Reserve Base at Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 
2009 until 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0100 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 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 Department of the Navy requested a 
temporary rule changing the operation of the State Route 23 vertical 
lift span drawbridge. The change accommodates the additional volume of 
vehicular traffic that the N'Awlins Air Show generates each year. A 
large amount of the general public is expected to attend the New 
Orleans Open House Air Show on each day. The change allows for the 
expeditious dispersal of the heavy volume of vehicular traffic expected 
to depart the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base following the 
event. This event has been held annually on or about the last weekend 
in October but has not been held since Hurricane Katrina. This year, 
the event is being held on the weekend of May 1-3, 2009. This temporary 
deviation will allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position from 3:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, 
May 2, 2009 and from 3:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2009.
    The State Route 23 vertical lift span drawbridge across the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle 
Chasse, Louisiana has a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position and 100 feet above mean high 
water in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway 
consists primarily of tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels, and 
occasional recreational craft. Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway (Harvey Canal) to avoid unnecessary delays.
    The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, 
industry, and other Coast Guard units. It has been determined that this 
closure will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic.
    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: February 20, 2009.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E9-5082 Filed 3-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P