Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Rock Island, IL

Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)

Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)

Rules and Regulations

Page 69995

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2013-28039

=======================================================================

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

Docket No. USCG-2013-0936

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Rock Island, IL

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 the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to perform preventive maintenance and critical repairs that are essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. The work is scheduled in the winter, when the impact on navigation is minimal, instead of scheduling the work at other times in the year, when river traffic is prevalent. This deviation allows the bridge to be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position for 77 days.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m., December 18, 2013 to 7:30 a.m. March 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2013-0936, 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 Eric A. Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone (314) 269-2378, email Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202)366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal requested a temporary deviation for the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois across the Upper Mississippi River. It has a vertical clearance of 23.8 feet above normal pool in the closed position. The Rock Island Railroad and Highway 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.

The deviation period is from 7:30 a.m., December 18, 2013 to 7:30 a.m., March 4, 2014 when the draw span will remain in the closed-to-

navigation position. During this time the bridge owner will replace critical control components that are essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass this section of the Upper Mississippi River. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

Winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 18 (Mile 410.5 UMR) and Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) till 11 a.m., March 4, 2014 will preclude any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening.

There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Upper Mississippi River.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge 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: November 5, 2013.

Eric A. Washburn,

Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.

FR Doc. 2013-28039 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 9110-04-P