2015-31297. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des Allemands, LA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. This deviation is necessary to perform two extensive rest pier rehabilitations to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in its closed-to-navigation position for three eight-hour periods during three consecutive days on two separate occasions.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 13, 2016 through 3 p.m. on January 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0974] 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 Donna Gagliano, Bridge Specialist, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana, has a vertical clearance of three feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation position and unlimited in the open-to-navigation position.

The draw currently operates under 33 CFR 117.440(b). For purposes of this deviation, the bridge will not be required to open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for two three-day periods, occurring January 13 through 15, and daily January 20 through 22, 2016. At all other times, the bridge will operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.440(b).

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a temporary deviation for the operation of the drawbridge to accommodate rehabilitation work involving rest pivot piers and swing span change out, an extensive but necessary maintenance operation. Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows, fishing vessels and recreational crafts.

The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, industry, and other Coast Guard units and determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic.

During this deviation for bridge rehabilitation, vessels will not be allowed to pass through the bridge during the eight-hour closures each day as stated above. Many of the vessels that currently require an opening of the draw will be able to pass using the opposite channel from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. when the deviations are not in effect. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. 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 that vessels 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 temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: December 7, 2015.

David M. Frank,

Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.