Document ID: USCG-2011-0630-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation: Lower Grand River, LA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2011-07-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43597-43598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18223]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0630]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lower Grand River, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation in 33 CFR 117.478(b) governing 
the operation of the LA 77 bridge across the

[[Page 43598]]

Lower Grand River, mile 47.0 (Alternate Route) at Grosse Tete, 
Iberville Parish, Louisiana. This deviation allows the Louisiana 
Department of Transportation and Development to maintain the bridge in 
the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on 
Wednesday, July 20, 2011. At all others times, the bridge will operate 
normally for the passage of vessels. This temporary deviation was 
issued to allow for the repairs to the main girder of the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. on 
Wednesday July 20, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0630 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0252 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available 
for inspection or copying at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, Coast Guard; 
telephone 504-671-2128, e-mail David.M.Frank@uscg.mil. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, 
Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The LA 77 bridge across the Lower Grand 
River, mile 47.0 (Alternate Route) at Grosse Tete, Iberville Parish, 
Louisiana, has a vertical clearance of 2 feet above high water in the 
closed-to-navigation position and unlimited clearance in the open-to-
navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tows 
with barges and some recreational craft. Coastal Bridge Company, on 
behalf of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development 
requested a temporary deviation from the normal operation of the bridge 
in order to effect repairs to the bridge.
    This deviation allows the draw of the LA 77 swing drawbridge across 
the Lower Grand River, mile 47.0 (Alternate Route), at Grosse Tete, 
Iberville Parish, Louisiana, to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. 
Presently, the draw of the LA 77 bridge, mile 47.0 (Alternate Route) at 
Grosse Tete, shall open on signal; except that, from about August 15 to 
about June 5 (the school year), the draw need not be opened from 6 a.m. 
to 8 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except 
Federal holidays. The draw shall open on signal at any time for an 
emergency aboard a vessel.
    The closure is necessary in order to install angles on the main 
girder and weld a crack on the bridge. The contractor has indicated 
that they may be able to operate the bridge during the closure and may 
be able to move their equipment out of the channel but the movement of 
the equipment may require several hours to complete immediate work and 
move equipment. This maintenance is essential for the continued 
operation of the bridge. Notices will be published in the Eighth Coast 
Guard District Local Notice to Mariners and will be broadcast via the 
Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to Mariners System.
    No alternate routes are available for the passage of vessels; 
however, the closure was coordinated with waterway interests who have 
indicated that they will be able to adjust their operations around the 
proposed work schedule.
    Due to prior experience and coordination with waterway users, it 
has been determined that this closure will not have a significant 
effect on vessels that use the waterway.
    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: June 28, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-18223 Filed 7-20-11; 8:45 am]
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