2014-09729. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inner Harbor Navigational Canal, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the SR 46 (St. Claude Avenue) bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock) in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for 24 consecutive hours within an eight day window of opportunity to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on May 10, 2014, through 6 a.m. on May 18, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0267] 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 rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Jim Wetherington, Bridge Administration Branch, Coast Guard, telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans has requested a temporary deviation in order to perform maintenance on the operating strut guides of the bridge. These repairs are necessary for the continued operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the draw of the St. Claude Avenue bascule bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock), to remain closed to navigation for 24 consecutive hours between 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2014 and 6 a.m. Sunday, May 11, 2014. Work on the bridge will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2014. If for any reason, the work cannot be accomplished on May 10 and 11, 2014, the work will be postponed for one week and the same schedule will be used beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014 and continuing through 6 a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Broadcast Notice to Mariners will be used to update mariners of any changes in this deviation.

The bascule bridge has a vertical clearance of 1 foot above high water in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows and some ships. The bridge normally opens to pass navigation an average of eight times during the deviation period. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.458(a), the draw of the bridge shall open on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, the draw need not open for the passage of vessels. Normally, the draw is required to open at any time for a vessel in distress. However, the bridge will not be able to open for emergencies during the closure period. No alternate routes are available.

The Port and the Coast Guard have coordinated the closure with waterway users, industry, and other Coast Guard units. These dates and this schedule were chosen to minimize the significant effects on vessel traffic.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to their regular operating schedules 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 14, 2014.

David M. Frank,

Bridge Administrator.