Document ID: USCG-2013-0043-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, IA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.) (
Posted Date: 2013-02-11T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9588-9589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02961]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0043]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mile 535.0, Upper Mississippi 
River, Sabula, IA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge across 
the Upper Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa. The deviation 
is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive 
maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the 
drawbridge. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter when there is less 
impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when 
river traffic increases. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in 
the closed-to-

[[Page 9589]]

navigation position while a bent shaft and damaged gear assembly are 
replaced.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m., February 11, 2013, to 7 
a.m., February 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
USCG-2013-0043. The docket for this notice, USCG-2013-0043, is 
available online at www.regulations.gov by typing the docket number in 
the ``SEARCH'' box and clicking ``SEARCH.'' Next, click on Open Docket 
Folder on the line associated with this notice. You may also visit the 
Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Eric A. Washburn, Bridge 
Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard 314-269-2378, email 
Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, 
call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Canadian Pacific Railway requested a 
temporary deviation for the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, across the 
Upper Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position while a bent shaft and damaged gear 
assembly are replaced. The closure period will start at 7 a.m., 
February 11, 2013, and last until 7 a.m., February 25, 2013.
    Once the bent shaft and gear assembly are removed, the swing span 
will not be able to open, even for emergencies, until the replacement 
of the shaft and gear assembly is installed.
    The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that 
drawbridges shall open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels 
when a request to open is given in accordance with the subpart. In 
order to facilitate the needed bridge work, the drawbridge must be kept 
in the closed-to-navigation position.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section 
of the Upper Mississippi River.
    The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, in the closed-to-navigation 
position, provides a vertical clearance of 18.1 feet above normal pool. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and 
recreational watercraft. This temporary deviation has been coordinated 
with the waterway users. No objections were received.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 25, 2013.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2013-02961 Filed 2-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P