Drawbridge Operation Regulations:
Federal Register: November 19, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 223)
Rules and Regulations
Page 70817-70818
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr19no10-6
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117
Docket No. USCG-2010-1039
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River,
Dubuque, IA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi
River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance that is essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.
Maintenance is scheduled in the winter and when there is less impact on navigation; instead of scheduling work in the summer, when river traffic increases. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m., December 13, 2010 to 7 a.m. March 1, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-1039 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-1039 in the
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 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 rule, call or e-mail Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2378, e-mail Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,
Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad
Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque,
Iowa to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given for 79 days from 12:01 a.m., December 13, 2010 to 7 a.m., March 1, 2011 to allow the bridge owner time for preventive maintenance. The Illinois
Central Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33
CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that drawbridges shall open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels when a request to open is given in accordance with the subpart.
There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Upper Mississippi River.
Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 20 (Mile 343.2 UMR), Lock
No. 21 (Mile 324.9 UMR) and Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) until 4:30 p.m., March 4, 2011 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening.
The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, in the closed-to- navigation position, provides a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above normal pool. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. The drawbridge will open if at least 24 hours advance notice is given. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular
Page 70818
operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: November 10, 2010.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator.
FR Doc. 2010-29166 Filed 11-18-10; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
