Document ID: USCG-2010-1105-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Upper Mississippi River, Rock Island, IL (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2010-12-27T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 81125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32379]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2010-1105]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Rock 
Island, IL

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 governing the operation of the 
Crescent Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 
481.4, at Rock Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary to allow 
the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance that is 
essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. 
Maintenance is scheduled in the winter and when there is less impact on 
navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river 
traffic increases. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal 
if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m., January 17, 2011 to 
9 a.m. March 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-1105 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-1105 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 Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, 
United States Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2378, e-mail 
Eric.Washburn@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 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 
requested a temporary deviation for the Crescent Railroad Drawbridge, 
across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 481.4, at Rock Island, 
Illinois to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given 
for 44 days from 12:01 a.m., January 17, 2011 to 9 a.m., March 1, 2011 
to allow the bridge owner time for preventive maintenance. The Crescent 
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.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section 
of the Upper Mississippi River.
    Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the 
closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 20 (Mile 343.2 UMR), Lock 
No. 21 (Mile 324.9 UMR) and Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) from January 
3, 2011 to February 28, 2011 will preclude any significant navigation 
demands for the drawspan opening for most of the deviation period.
    The Crescent Railroad Drawbridge, in the closed-to-navigation 
position, provides a vertical clearance of 25.7 feet above normal pool. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and 
recreational watercraft. The drawbridge will open if at least 24-hours 
advance notice is given. This temporary deviation has been coordinated 
with waterway users.
    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: December 13, 2010.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-32379 Filed 12-23-10; 8:45 am]
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