Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Upper Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA

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 Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to complete electrical and mechanical upgrades and replace the control house essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 21, 2015 to 1 p.m. on October 22, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, (USCG-2015-0905) is available at http://www.regulations.gov.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad requested a temporary deviation for the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., on October 21 and 22, 2015 to complete electrical and mechanical upgrades and replace the control house essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge.

The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that the drawbridge shall open on signal.

There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this section of the Upper Mississippi River. The bridge cannot open in case of emergency.

The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge provides a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above normal pool in the closed-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft and will not be significantly impacted. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. No objections were received.

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.