Document ID: USCG-2013-0828-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Upper Mississippi River, Hannibal, MO (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.)
Posted Date: 2013-10-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64887-64888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25635]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0828]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, 
Hannibal, MO

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 Hannibal Railroad Drawbridge across 
the Upper Mississippi River, mile 309.9, at Hannibal, Missouri. The 
deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to replace 
critical control components that are essential to the continued safe 
operation of the drawbridge. The work is scheduled in the winter, when 
the impact on navigation is minimal, instead of scheduling the work at 
other times in the year, when river traffic is prevalent. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position for 39 days.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m., January 7, 2014 to 5 
p.m., February 14, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0828], 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 Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Norfolk Southern Railroad requested a 
temporary deviation for the Hannibal Railroad Drawbridge, mile 309.9, 
at Hannibal, Missouri across the Upper Mississippi River. It has a 
vertical clearance of 21.1 feet above normal pool in the closed 
position. The Hannibal 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.
    The deviation period is from 7 a.m., January 7, 2014 to 5 p.m., 
February 14, 2014 when the draw span will remain in the closed-to-
navigation position. During this time the bridge owner will replace 
critical control components that are essential to the continued safe 
operation of the drawbridge. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass this section of the Upper Mississippi River. The Coast Guard will 
also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge 
so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact 
caused by the temporary deviation.
    Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the 
closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 18 (Mile 410.5 UMR) and 
Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) till 11 a.m., March 4, 2014 will preclude 
any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening.
    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.

[[Page 64888]]

    Dated: September 24, 2013.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2013-25635 Filed 10-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P