Document ID: USCG-2014-0978-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Upper Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA (Federal Register Publication) ( Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.)
Posted Date: 2014-12-09T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72975-72976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28842]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0978]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, 
Dubuque, 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 Illinois Central Railroad 
Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, 
Iowa. 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 
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. 
It further allows the bridge to remain closed for up to 72 hours in 
duration occasionally to replace larger components as long as 72-hours 
notice is given to the USCG District Eight Western Rivers Bridge 
Branch.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 p.m., December 15, 2014 until 
9 a.m., March 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2014-0978) 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 F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad 
requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad 
Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, 
Iowa to open on signal if at least 24-hours advance notice is given for 
76 days from 5 p.m., December 15, 2014 until 9 a.m., March 1, 2015 for 
scheduled maintenance on the bridge. The deviation further allows the 
bridge to remain closed for up to 72 hours in duration occasionally to 
replace larger components as long as 72-hours notice is given to the 
USCG District Eight Western Rivers Bridge Branch.
    The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that 
the drawbridge shall open on signal.
    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. 17 (Mile 437.1 UMR) and 
Lock No. 20 (Mile 343.2 UMR) from 7 a.m. January 5, 2015 until 12 p.m., 
March 6, 2015 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the 
drawspan opening. In addition, Army Corps Lock No. 12 (Mile 556.7 UMR) 
and Lock No. 13 (Mile 522.5 UMR) will be closed from 7:30 a.m. December 
15, 2014 to 11:00 March 1, 2015.
    The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, in the closed-to-
navigation position, provides a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above 
normal pool. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of 
commercial tows and recreational

[[Page 72976]]

watercraft and will not be significantly impacted. The drawbridge will 
open if at least 24-hours advance notice is given and will close for up 
to 72 hours provided 72-hours advance notice is given to the USCG 
District Eight Western Rivers Bridge Branch. This temporary deviation 
has been coordinated with 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: November 24, 2014.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2014-28842 Filed 12-8-14; 8:45 am]
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