[Federal Register: March 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 53)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 13514]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr99-14]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD11-99-001]

 
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mokelumne River, CA-12 Highway 
Bridge at Mile 3.0 at East Isleton, Sacramento County, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Coast Guard has issued a 
temporary deviation to regulations governing opening of the California 
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) swing bridge over the Mokelumne 
River at East Isleton, CA (the Mokelumne River Bridge). The deviation 
has two parts. The first part specified the bridge need not open for 
the passage of vessels from 8 a.m. March 22, 1999 to 5 p.m. March 24, 
1999. The purpose of this part of the deviation is to allow Caltrans to 
repair the east-end bridge jack turnbuckle. The bridge cannot be opened 
during that work. The second part specified the bridge would open upon 
the following advance notice during the period from 5 p.m. March 24, 
1999, through 5 p.m. April 2, 1999: During the hours between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m. daily, upon 30 minutes advance notice; at all other times upon 
at least 4 hours advance notice given to the drawtender at the Rio 
Vista Bridge over the Sacramento River, mile 12.8. The purpose of this 
part of the deviation is to enable Caltrans to test and make final 
adjustments and conduct other maintenance that does not require taking 
the bridge out of service. However, during that period, workers and 
equipment will be on the movable span, and advance notice is needed to 
clear the span for openings.

DATES: The deviation is effective from 8 a.m. March 22, 1999, through 5 
p.m. April 2, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jerry Olmes, Bridge Administrator, 
Eleventh Coast Guard District, Building 50-6, Coast Guard Island, 
Alameda, CA 94501-5100, telephone (510) 437-3515.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 24, 1999, Caltrans requested to 
close the bridge from 8 a.m. March 22, 1999 through 5 p.m. March 24, 
1999, and to operate the bridge on 30 minute advance notice from 5 p.m. 
March 24, 1999 through 5 p.m. April 2, 1999. When the bridge is closed 
to navigation, the vertical clearance is 7.0 ft. (2.1 m) above Mean 
High Water, and is 10.5 ft. (3.2m) above Mean Lower Low Water, and the 
clearances may be further reduced due to high seasonal flows from 
winter rains. Alternate routes are available, and waterway traffic is 
minimal during the winter months. The Coast Guard has contacted the 
marinas immediately upstream and downstream of the bridge and 
commercial waterway operators, none of whom have any objection to the 
proposal. Delaying repairs until later in the year would impact a 
greater number of waterway users.
    This deviation from the normal operating regulations in 33 CFR 
117.175 is authorized in accordance with the provisions of 33 CFR 
117.35.

    Dated: March 12, 1999.
C.D. Wurster,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 99-6759 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am]
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