Document ID: USCG-2015-1099-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, Iowa
Posted Date: 2015-12-21T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 79260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31917]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-1099]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, 
Iowa

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 safe operation of the drawbridge, 
and is scheduled in the winter when there is less impact on navigation. 
This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24-hours 
advance notice is given.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from December 
21, 2015 through 7 a.m., March 4, 2016. For the purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 7 a.m., December 16, 2015 
until December 21, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-1099] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH''. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Eric A. Washburn, Bridge 
Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2378, 
email Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Canadian Pacific Railroad requested a 
temporary deviation for the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, across the 
Upper Mississippi River, mile 535.0, at Sabula, Iowa to open on signal 
if at least 24-hours advance notice is given for 78 days from 7 a.m., 
December 16, 2015 until 7 a.m., March 4, 2016 for scheduled maintenance 
on the bridge.
    The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that the 
drawbridge shall open on signal.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section 
of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridge cannot open in case of 
emergency.
    Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the 
closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 13 (Mile 522.5 UMR) and 
Lock No. 21 (Mile 324.9 UMR) from 7 a.m. January 4, 2016 until 12 p.m., 
March 4, 2016 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the 
drawspan opening. In addition, Army Corps Lock No. 14 (Mile 493.3 UMR) 
and Lock No. 17 (Mile 437.1 UMR) will be closed from 7 a.m. December 
14, 2015 until 12 p.m. March 2, 2016.
    The Sabula Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 
18.1 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and 
recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted. The 
drawbridge will open if at least 24-hours advance notice is given. This 
temporary deviation has been coordinated with 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: December 15, 2015.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2015-31917 Filed 12-18-15; 8:45 am]
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