2011-1197. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Belle Chasse, 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 SR 23 bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to facilitate movement of vehicular traffic for the 2011 N'Awlins Air Show, to be held at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base at Belle Chasse, Louisiana. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for several hours on three afternoons to allow for the movement of vehicular traffic.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2011 until 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-1141 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 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 rule, call or e-mail David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department of the Navy requested a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the State Route 23 vertical lift span drawbridge. The change accommodates the additional volume of vehicular traffic that the N'Awlins Air Show generates each year. A large number of the public is expected to attend the Naval Air Station Open House and Air Show on each day. The change allows for the expeditious dispersal of the heavy volume of vehicular traffic expected to depart the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base following the event. This year, the event is being held on the weekend of May 6-8, 2011. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 3:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2011 and from 3:30 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 and Sunday, May 8, 2011.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(b), the bridge currently opens on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not be opened for the passage of vessels.

The State Route 23 vertical lift span drawbridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Louisiana has a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation position and 100 feet above mean high water in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels, and occasional recreational craft. Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Harvey Canal) to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, industry, and other Coast Guard units. It has been determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic; however, the bridge can be opened in an emergency.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: January 3, 2011.

David M. Frank,

Bridge Administrator.