Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, LA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Lapalco Boulevard bascule span drawbridge across the Harvey Canal Route, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), mile 2.8 at New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The deviation is necessary to change out the four drive panels for the motors that operate the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for seven consecutive days.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0104] 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. 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 Kay Wade, Bridge Branch Office, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email Kay.B.Wade@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Jefferson Parish has requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the Bascule Span Bridge across the Harvey Canal Route, Intracoastal Waterway, mile 2.8 at New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 45 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation position and unlimited in the open-to-navigation position. Vessels requiring a clearance of less than 45 feet may transit beneath the bridge during maintenance operations.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(a), the bridge currently opens on signal for the passage of vessels; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays, the draw need not be opened for the passage of vessels. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013, until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 25, 2013. At all other times, the bridge will open on signal for the passage of vessels in accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(a).

The closure is necessary in order to change out the four drive panels for the motors that operate the bridge. This maintenance is essential for the continued operation of the bridge. Notices will be published in the Eighth Coast Guard District Local Notice to Mariners and will be broadcast via the Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to Mariners System.

Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows with some commercial fishing vessels and recreational craft. Coordination between the Coast Guard and the waterway users determined that there should not be any significant effects on these vessels. The bridge will be unable to open during these repairs; however, an alternate route is available via the GIWW (Algiers Alternate Route).

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