2013-30215. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Clinton, IA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Clinton Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 518.0, at Clinton, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from December 19, 2013 through 9 a.m., March 4, 2014, and has been enforced with actual notice since 12:01 a.m., December 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2013-1008) 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 Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Union Pacific Railroad requested a temporary deviation for the Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 518.0, at Clinton, Iowa to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given from 12:01 a.m., December 15, 2013 to 9 a.m., March 15, 2014 to allow the bridge owner time for preventive maintenance. The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge will resume its normal operating schedule at 9 a.m., March 4, 2014 to align with the opening of Locks on the Upper Mississippi River.

Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 16 (Mile 457.2 UMR), Lock No. 17 (Mile 437.1 UMR), and Lock No. 18 (Mile 410.5 UMR) until 11:00 a.m., March 4, 2014 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening.

The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that drawbridge shall open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to open is given in accordance with the subpart.

There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Upper Mississippi River.

The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, in the closed-to-navigation position, provides a vertical clearance of 18.7 feet above normal pool. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. The drawbridge will open if at least 24 hours advance notice is given. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.

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 5, 2013.

Eric A. Washburn,

Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.