Document ID: USCG-2016-0199-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Tennessee River, Decatur, AL
Posted Date: 2016-04-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18749-18750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07439]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0199]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Tennessee River, Decatur, AL

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 Southern Railroad Drawbridge across 
the Tennessee River, mile 304.4, at Decatur, Alabama. The deviation is 
necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform repairs and 
maintenance essential to the continued safe operation of the 
drawbridge. This deviation allows the bridge to open to vessel traffic 
with a two-hour advance notice.

DATES: This deviation is effective from April 4 through April 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2016-0199) 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 Norfolk Southern Railroad requested a 
temporary deviation for the Southern Railroad Drawbridge, across the 
Tennessee River, mile 304.4, at Decatur, Alabama. This deviation allows 
the bridge to open on signal if at least 2-hours advance notice is 
given from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, April 4-21, 
2016. This deviation is necessary for the bridge owner to replace cross 
ties, change out the counter weight and install inner guard rails.
    The Southern Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that the 
drawbridge shall open on signal.
    The Southern Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 
10.52 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. 
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.
    The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there are 
no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the 
Tennessee River. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the 
waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the 
change in operating schedule for the bridge so the vessel operators can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    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

[[Page 18750]]

temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 10, 2016.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2016-07439 Filed 3-31-16; 8:45 am]
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