02-5805. Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Three Mile Creek, 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 in 33 CFR part 117 governing the operation of the CSX Transportation railroad swing span drawbridge across Three Mile Creek, mile 0.3, at Mobile, Alabama. This deviation allows the draw of the railroad swing span bridge to remain closed to navigation from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on March 18 and 19, 2002. This temporary deviation will allow for conversion of the operating mechanism from mechanical to hydraulic.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2002 until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this notice are available for inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Commander (obc), 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130-3396. The Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration Branch, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The CSX Transportation railroad swing span drawbridge across Three Mile Creek, Baldwin County, Alabama has a vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position of 10 feet above mean high water and 12 feet above mean low water. The bridge provides unlimited vertical clearance in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs with tows and fishing vessels. Presently, the draw opens on signal.

CSX Transportation requested a temporary deviation for the operation of the drawbridge to accommodate maintenance work. The work involves replacement of the deficient mechanical operating system with a new hydraulic system. This work is essential for continued operation of the draw span of the bridge and is expected to eliminate frequent breakdowns resulting in emergency bridge closures.

This deviation allows the draw of the CSX Transportation railroad swing span drawbridge to remain closed to navigation from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on March 18 and 19, 2002.

Dated: February 25, 2002.

Roy J. Casto,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.