E9-2349. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA

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 operations of the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow time for conducting needed maintenance and repairs to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m., January 15, 2009 until 8 a.m., March 1, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-1191 and are available online at www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: The Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and the Robert A. Young Federal Building, Room 2.107f, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2832, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Canadian National Railway Company requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, Mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given to facilitate critical bridge repair and annual maintenance. The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that drawbridges shall open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to open is given in accordance with the subpart. In order to facilitate the needed bridge work, the drawbridge must be kept in the closed-to-navigation position. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given from 12:01 a.m., January 15, 2009 until 8 a.m., March 1, 2009.

Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted due to the reduced navigation in winter months. Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River will preclude any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening.

The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge navigation span has a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above normal pool in the closed to navigation position. Performing maintenance on the bridge and pier protection during the winter, when the number of vessels likely to be impacted is minimal, is preferred to the bridge closure or advance notification requirements during the navigation season. This temporary change to the drawbridge's operation has been coordinated with the commercial waterway operators.

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

This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.

Dated: January 7, 2009.

Roger K. Wiebusch,

Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District (dwb).