[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2599]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08-98-002]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
Burlington Railroad Drawbridge at mile 403.1, across the Upper
Mississippi River. This deviation amends the federal drawbridge
operation regulations to require a six-hour advance notice to open for
the period of 12:01 a.m., December 31, 1997 to 12:01 a.m., March 1,
1998. This action is necessary in order for the bridge to undergo
required maintenance. Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River,
coupled with the closure of many Corps of Engineers' locks until March
of 1998, will preclude any significant navigation demands for bridge
openings.
DATES: The deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m., December 31, 1997 to
12:01 a.m., March 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, Director, Western Rivers
Operations, (314) 539-2900, extension 378.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Railroad Drawbridge swingspan
has a vertical clearance of 21.5 feet above normal pool in the closed
to navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily
of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. This change in
drawbridge operation has been coordinated with the commercial waterway
industry and fleeting operations in the area. Use of the waterway by
these groups is curtailed during lock closures and ice formation in the
winter months. The Burlington Railroad Drawbridge is located between
Locks 18 and 19 which will be closed during the period. Performing
maintenance on this bridge during the winter when no vessels are
impacted is preferred to bridge closures or advance notification
requirements during the commercial navigation season.
This deviation is for the period 12:01 a.m., December 31, 1997 to
12:01 a.m., March 1, 1998. It requires that six hour advance notice be
made for the swingspan of the Burlington Railroad Drawbridge to open.
The drawbridge operation regulations, when not amended by a deviation,
require that the drawbridge open on-demand.
Dated: January 20, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-2599 Filed 2-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
