E6-20485. Drawbridge Operating Regulations; Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, New Orleans, 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 46 (St. Claude Avenue) bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock) in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for approximately 11 consecutive hours to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6:30 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Materials referred to in this document are available for inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs Federal Building, room 1313, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3310 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is [phone]. The Bridge Administration Branch of the Eighth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans has requested a temporary deviation in order to replace the riverside lower forward roller assembly for the operating strut guide of the bridge. These repairs are necessary for the continued operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the draw of the St. Claude Avenue bascule bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock), to remain closed to navigation from 6:30 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

The bascule bridge has a vertical clearance of 1 foot above high water in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows and some ships. The bridge normally opens to pass navigation an average of eight times during the deviation period. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.458(a), the draw of the bridge shall open on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, the draw need not open for the passage of vessels. The draw shall open at any time for a vessel in distress. Normally, the draw is required to open at any time for a vessel in distress. However, the bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the closure period. An alternate route is available to mariners by proceeding down the Mississippi River to Venice, Louisiana, crossing the Breton Sound and proceeding up the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.

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.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: November 13, 2006.

Marcus Redford,

Bridge Administrator.