02-13962. 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 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 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 17 and 18, 2002. This temporary deviation will allow for replacement of machinery struts.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2002 until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 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:

David Frank, 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 for the passage of vessels.

CSX Transportation requested a temporary deviation for the operation of the drawbridge to accommodate maintenance work. The work involves replacement of the deficient machinery struts on the bridge. 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 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 17 and 18, 2002.

Dated: May 24, 2002.

D.F. Ryan,

Captain, U.S.C.G., Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, Acting.