Document ID: USCG-2014-0357-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Berwick Bay-Atchafalaya River, Morgan City, LA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.)
Posted Date: 2014-05-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12385]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0357]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Berwick Bay-Atchafalaya River, 
Morgan City, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Morgan City Railroad Bridge across Berwick Bay--Atchafalaya River, mile 
17.5 and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen 
Alternate Route, mile 0.3) in Morgan City, St. Mary's Parish, 
Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to 
navigation for four consecutive hours with an opening to pass vessels 
in the middle for the purpose of conducting scheduled maintenance to 
the drawbridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 1 p.m. through 5 p.m. on June 
12, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0357] 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 rulemaking. 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 Jim Wetherington, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
james.r.wetherington@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 BNSF Railway Company requested a 
temporary deviation from the normal operation of the drawbridge in 
order to perform the installation of a new signaling system. These 
repairs are necessary for the continued operation of the bridge. This 
deviation allows the draw of the Morgan City Railroad Bridge across 
Berwick Bay--Atchafalaya River, mile 17.5 and the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway (Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route, mile 0.3), to remain 
closed to navigation for four consecutive hours between 1 p.m. and 5 
p.m. on June 12, 2014 with an opening at 3 p.m. to pass any traffic 
stopped by the closure.
    Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be used to update mariners of any 
changes in this deviation.
    The bridge has a vertical clearance of 4 feet above high water in 
the closed-to-navigation position and 73 feet above high water in the 
open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of 
tugs with tows, oil industry related work boats and crew boats, 
commercial fishing vessels and some recreational craft. In accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.5, the draw of the bridge shall open on signal. The 
Morgan City-Port Allen Landside route through Amelia, LA is the 
alternate route.
    BNSF and the Coast Guard have coordinated the closure with waterway 
users, industry, and other Coast Guard units. This date and this 
schedule were chosen to minimize the significant effects on vessel 
traffic.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their regular operating schedules 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: May 16, 2014.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-12385 Filed 5-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P