Document ID: USCG-2016-0956-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Clinton, IA
Posted Date: 2016-10-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 75327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26150]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0956]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, 
Clinton, IA

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 three drawbridges crossing the Upper 
Mississippi River in Iowa: The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, 
mile 579.9, Dubuque, IA; the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, mile 535.0, 
Sabula, IA; and the Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, mile 518.0, Clinton, 
IA. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owners time to 
perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe 
operation of the drawbridges and allows for a seasonal deviation issued 
for these bridges each year. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter, 
when there is less impact on navigation due to less traffic. This 
deviation allows the bridges to open on signal if at least 24 hours 
advance notice is given.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 p.m., December 13, 2016 until 
9 a.m., March 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2016-0956) 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.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Illinois Central, Canadian Pacific, and 
Union Pacific Railroads requested a temporary deviation for the 
Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, mile 579.9, Dubuque, Iowa, Sabula 
Railroad Drawbridge, mile 535.0, Sabula, Iowa, and Clinton Railroad 
Drawbridge, mile 518.0, Clinton, Iowa, across the Upper Mississippi 
River to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given 
for 79 days from 5 p.m., December 13, 2016 to 9 a.m., March 2, 2017 for 
scheduled maintenance on the bridges.
    The Illinois Central, Sabula, and Clinton Railroad Drawbridges 
currently operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the 
general requirement that drawbridges open on signal.
    There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting these sections 
of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridges cannot open in case of 
emergency.
    The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical 
clearance of 19.9 feet, Sabula Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical 
clearance of 18.1 feet, and Clinton Railroad Drawbridge provides a 
vertical clearance of 18.7 feet, above normal pool in their closed-to-
navigation positions. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of 
commercial tows and recreational watercraft and will not be 
significantly impacted. This temporary deviation has been coordinated 
with waterway users. No objections were received.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), each of these drawbridges 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: October 25, 2016.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2016-26150 Filed 10-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P