2016-26150. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Clinton, IA

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 three drawbridges crossing the Upper Mississippi River in Iowa: The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, mile 579.9, Dubuque, IA; the Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, mile 535.0, Sabula, IA; and the Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, mile 518.0, Clinton, IA. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owners time to perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridges and allows for a seasonal deviation issued for these bridges each year. Maintenance is scheduled in the winter, when there is less impact on navigation due to less traffic. This deviation allows the bridges to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 5 p.m., December 13, 2016 until 9 a.m., March 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2016-0956) 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 Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Illinois Central, Canadian Pacific, and Union Pacific Railroads requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, mile 579.9, Dubuque, Iowa, Sabula Railroad Drawbridge, mile 535.0, Sabula, Iowa, and Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, mile 518.0, Clinton, Iowa, across the Upper Mississippi River to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given for 79 days from 5 p.m., December 13, 2016 to 9 a.m., March 2, 2017 for scheduled maintenance on the bridges.

The Illinois Central, Sabula, and Clinton Railroad Drawbridges currently operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that drawbridges open on signal.

There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting these sections of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridges cannot open in case of emergency.

The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet, Sabula Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 18.1 feet, and Clinton Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 18.7 feet, above normal pool in their closed-to-navigation positions. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), each of these drawbridges 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: October 25, 2016.

Eric A. Washburn,

Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.