[Federal Register: November 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 219)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63521]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no98-148]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD08-98-069]

 
Public Hearing; CSX Railroad Bridge across the Mobile River, Mile 
13.3, at Hurricane, Alabama

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing on whether the CSX 
Railroad Bridge across the Mobile River at Hurricane, Alabama, is an 
unreasonable obstruction to navigation which should be altered. The 
Coast Guard has received complaints that the bridge is unreasonably 
obstructive to navigation. The hearing will allow interested parties to 
present comments and information concerning the bridge.

DATES: The hearing will start at 10 a.m. on December 7, 1998. Comments 
must be received by December 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held in the Killian Auditorium at the 
International Trade Center, 250 North Water Street, Mobile, Alabama 
36602. Written comments may be submitted to, and will be available for 
examination from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
holidays, at the office of the Director, Western Rivers Operations, 
Bridge Branch, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2398.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Roger Wiebusch, Director, Western Rivers Operations, Bridge Branch, 
telephone (314) 539-3900 ext. 378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Coast Guard has received complaints alleging that the CSX 
Railroad Bridge is unreasonably obstructive to navigation. The 
preliminary Coast Guard investigation indicates there were 73 marine 
collisions with the bridge between 1986 and 1997. These collisions have 
caused moderate to heavy damage to the bridge. In addition, the 
restrictive navigation channel of the bridge caused delays to the 
passage of waterway traffic. Based on this information, the bridge 
appears to be a hazard to navigation and many require increasing the 
horizontal clearance on the bridge to meet the needs of navigation.

Procedural

    Any person who wishes may appear and speak or present evidence at 
this public hearing. Persons planning to speak at the hearing should 
notify the Director, Western Rivers Operations, Bridge Branch at the 
location listed under ADDRESSES or the telephone number listed in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT any time prior to the hearing indicating 
the amount of time required. Depending upon the number of scheduled 
statements, the Coast Guard may limit the amount of time allocated to 
each person. Any time limitations will be announced at the beginning of 
the hearing.
    Written statements and exhibits may be submitted in place of, or in 
addition to, oral statements and will be made a part of the hearing 
record. Written statements and exhibits may be delivered at the hearing 
or mailed in advance to the Director, Western Rivers Operations, Bridge 
Branch. Transcripts of the hearing will be made available for purchase 
upon request.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the Director, Western Rivers Operations, Bridge Branch at the number 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 513; 49 CFR 1.46.

    Dated: October 23, 1998.
Paul J. Pluta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-30445 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]
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