Document ID: USCG-2013-1039-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, IA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.)
Posted Date: 2014-01-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00284]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-1039]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Sabula, 
IA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

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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 repairs and 
maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the 
drawbridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position while a damaged gear assembly is replaced and 
structural steel repairs are completed.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m., January 6, 2014 to 7 
a.m., March 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2013-1039 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. 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; telephone 314-269-2378, 
email Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, 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 damaged gear assembly is replaced 
and structural steel repairs are completed. The closure period will 
start at 7 a.m., January 6, 2014 to 7 a.m., March 4, 2014. Work is 
scheduled in the winter and when there is less impact on navigation; 
instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river traffic increases.
    Once the gear assembly is removed and structural steel repairs have 
commenced, the swing span will not be able to open, even for 
emergencies, until repairs are complete 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: December 18, 2013.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2014-00284 Filed 1-9-14; 8:45 am]
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