Document ID: USCG-2015-0864-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Lafourche Bayou, Larose, LA
Posted Date: 2015-09-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 174 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54236-54237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22513]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0864]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lafourche Bayou, Larose, LA

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 the operation of the T-Bois bridge, a 
vertical lift-span bridge across Lafourche Bayou, mile 40.4, at Larose, 
Louisiana. The deviation is necessary in order to allow for the smooth 
flow of increased vehicular traffic caused by the temporary closure of 
the LA 1 bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This deviation 
allows the bridge to open on signal for the passage of traffic if at 
least one-hour advanced notification is given during the morning and 
evening rush hours.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from September 
9, 2015 through November 30, 2015. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from September 2, 2015 until September 9, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0864] 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 David Frank, Bridge Administration 
Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email 
David.M.Frank@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 Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development has closed the LA 1 vertical lift bridge (on the west 
side of Lafourche Bayou) across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 
35.6, at Larose, Louisiana to vehicular traffic for repairs to the 
bridge. The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic until November 
30, 2015. As a result of this closure, all vehicular traffic wishing to 
transit north or south in Lafourche Parish must do so using LA 308 on 
the east side of Lafourche Bayou. Much of the vehicular traffic must 
cross the T-Bois bridge across Lafourche Bayou to accomplish this 
transit. The increase in vehicular traffic across the T-Bois bridge has 
caused a previously unforeseen traffic jam during the morning and 
afternoon rush hours. To help alleviate this traffic issue, the 
Lafourche Parish Government has requested that vessel traffic be 
limited during the morning and evening rush hours. As part of this 
discussion, it was determined that from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 
p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the T-Bois bridge across 
Lafourche Bayou will open on signal if at least one-hour advanced 
notification is given. Mariners may request an opening during the time 
by contacting the bridge tender at 985-

[[Page 54237]]

693-4040. Presently, the bridge opens on signal for the passage of 
vessels in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5.
    The bridge has a vertical clearance of 2.4 feet above mean high 
water, elevation 3.0 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) in 
the closed-to-navigation position and 73 feet above mean high water in 
the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists 
mainly of tugs with barges and fishing vessels. Based on known waterway 
users, it has been determined that this restriction will not have a 
significant effect on vessels using the waterway. An alternate route is 
available via the Company Canal at Lockport, LA.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, the bridge 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: September 2, 2015.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-22513 Filed 9-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P