Drawbridge operations: Green River,
[Federal Register: September 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 178)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49286-49287]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15se98-16]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 08-98-041]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Green River
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 governing the operation of the Paducah & Louisville Railroad Bridge at Mile 94.8, across the Green River. This deviation amends the federal drawbridge operation regulations to allow the drawbridge to remain closed from September 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998 during planned repair periods. The planned repairs include replacement of the bridge's lift motors.
[[Page 49287]]
The repairs will take approximately five days, however the exact dates are unknown at this time due to river conditions and material delivery matters.
DATES: The deviation is effective from September 1, 1998 through October 30, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Documents associated with this action are available for review at the office of Director Western Rivers Operations (ob) Eighth Coast Guard District, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, Room 2.107F between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District, 314-539-3900, Ext. 378.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paducah & Louisville Railroad Bridge is a bascule bridge that provides a vertical clearance of 41.3 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. This change in drawbridge operation has been coordinated with the commercial waterway industry and fleeting operations in the area. During normal river stages most vessels are able to pass beneath the closed span. In order to replace the lift motors, the moveable bascule leaf must be maintained in the closed to navigation position. Since the river level during September is at or near pool stage the closure is not expected to prevent vessels from passing beneath the closed span. If the river level is above normal pool, the bridge repair will be postponed until normal pool level is reached.
This deviation is for a planned repair period sometime in September or October 1998. The bridge will open on demand except during the approximately 5 day repair period when work will be in progress. The exact dates for this period could not be determined due to the uncertainty of when materials will be delivered. A minimum of two weeks advance notice will be provided to the Coast Guard prior to start of work so that appropriate notification to mariners can be made. The actual dates for the drawbridge closure will be published in the Local Notice to Mariners and included in the Broadcast Notice to Mainers. Interested parties may contact the Roger K. Wiebusch, DWRO Bridge Branch at 314-539-3900 ext. 3 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for dates of closure. The drawbridge operation regulations, when not amended by a deviation, require that the drawbridge open-on-demand.
A temporary deviation from the normal operation of the bridge was requested in order to perform necessary maintenance work on the bridge. The work consists of replacing the bridge's lift motors. The repairs are essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.
The District Commander has, therefore, issued a deviation from the regulations in 33 CFR 117.5 authorizing the Paducah & Louisville Railroad Bridge across the Green River to remain in the closed to navigation position during planned repair periods occurring between September 1, 1998 and October 30, 1998.
Dated: August 21, 1998. Paul J. Pluta, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-24705Filed9-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
