Document ID: USCG-2010-1141-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Belle Chasse, LA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2011-01-20T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3516-3517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1197]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2010-1141]

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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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[[Page 3517]]

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. The 
deviation is necessary to facilitate movement of vehicular traffic for 
the 2011 N'Awlins Air Show, to be held at the U.S. Naval Air Station, 
Joint Reserve Base at Belle Chasse, Louisiana. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain closed to navigation for several hours on three 
afternoons to allow for the movement of vehicular traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 
2011 until 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-1141 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch; 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 Department of the Navy requested a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing 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 number of the public is expected to attend the Naval Air 
Station Open House and 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 year, the event is being held on the weekend of May 6-8, 
2011. 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 6, 2011 and from 3:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 
and Sunday, May 8, 2011.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(b), the bridge currently opens on 
signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 
5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need 
not be opened for the passage of vessels.
    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; however, 
the bridge can be opened in an emergency.
    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: January 3, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-1197 Filed 1-19-11; 8:45 am]
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