[Federal Register: March 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 43)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10159-10160]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr04-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08-04-011]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Ocean Springs, MS
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
U.S. 90 Bascule Span Highway Bridge across Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 0.0
at Ocean Springs, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation allows
the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 6 a.m. on Monday, March
8, 2004 through 6 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2004. The deviation is
necessary to align the speed reducer and to replace some of the old
welded flooring plates with new steel channel sections on the
drawbridge.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2004
through 6 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for
inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District,
Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs Federal Building, room 1313,
500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3310 between 7 a.m.
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
telephone number is (504) 589-2965. The Bridge Administration Branch of
the Eighth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this
temporary deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration
Branch, telephone (504) 589-2965.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mississippi Department of Transportation
has requested a temporary deviation in order to align the speed reducer
and to replace some of the old welded flooring plates with new steel
channel sections on the U.S. 90 Bascule Span Highway Bridge across Back
Bay of Biloxi, mile 0.0 at Ocean Springs, Harrison County, Mississippi.
The replacement of the old flooring plates and alignment of the speed
reducer is necessary for the continued safe operation of the draw span
of the bridge. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain
in the closed-to-navigation position continuously
[[Page 10160]]
from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2004 through 6 p.m. on Friday, March
12, 2004.
Presently the bridge opens on signal except that from 6:30 a.m. to
7:05 a.m., 7:20 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 4:55 p.m. to
5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except holidays, the draw need not
open for the passage of vessels.
The bascule span bridge has a vertical clearance of 14 feet above
mean high water, elevation 1.75 feet Mean Sea Level in the closed-to-
navigation position. Navigation at the site of the bridge consists
mainly of commercial fishing vessels, tugs with barges in tow and
various sizes and types of recreational pleasure craft including
sailing vessels. Bridge tender logs show that in February, 2003 the
bridge was opened 120 times to pass navigation, an average of 4 times
per day. In March, 2003 it was opened 164 times to pass navigation, an
average of 5.4 times per day. The bridge will not be able to open for
emergencies during the closure period. Alternate routes are not
available.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: February 23, 2004.
Bradford W. Black,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-4777 Filed 3-3-04; 8:45 am]
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