2018-08625. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Rock Island, IL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the Quad City Heart Walk. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for approximately two and a half (2.5) hours on one day until the race is completed.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8:30 a.m. through 11 a.m. on May 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0325] is available at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal, owner and operator of the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois, requested a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to accommodate the Quad City Heart Walk. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 23.8 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. This bridge is governed by 33 CFR 117.5.

This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 8:30 a.m. through 11 a.m. on May 19, 2018. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Upper Mississippi River. The Coast Guard will inform users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so the vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by this temporary deviation.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: April 19, 2018.

Eric A. Washburn,

Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.