03-4756. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Three Mile Creek, Mobile, Baldwin County, AL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

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 CSX Transportation Railroad Swing Span Bridge across Three Mile Creek, mile 0.3, at Mobile, Baldwin County, AL. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation on March 20, 2003. The deviation is necessary to conduct maintenance to the drawbridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. on March 20, 2003.

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, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3396 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Bridge Administration Branch of the Eighth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kay Wade, Bridge Administration Branch, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CSX Transportation has requested a temporary deviation in order to lift the girder off the pivot pedestal in order to replace a worn disc that affects the opening and closing of the swing span bridge across Three Mile Creek at mile 0.3 at Mobile, Baldwin County, Alabama. This maintenance is essential for the continued operation of the bridge and is expected to eliminate frequent breakdowns resulting in emergency bridge closures. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2003.

The swing span bridge has a vertical clearance of 10 feet above mean high water and 12 feet above mean low water in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway is primarily commercial, consisting of tugs with tows and fishing vessels. There is no recreational boat traffic at the bridge site. The only known commercial users of the waterway, D. R. Jordan Pile Driving, Inc. and Mobile Ship Yard, were both contacted and have no objection to the closure. The bridge normally opens to pass navigation on an average of 3 times per day. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, the draw of the bridge opens on signal. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the closure period. No alternate routes are available.

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: February 19, 2003.

Marcus Redford,

Bridge Administrator.