Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Black Warrior River, Eutaw, Alabama

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical lift span bridge across the Black Warrior River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw, Greene County, Alabama. This deviation is necessary to install drive motors necessary for the continued safe operation of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed for two (2) three-hour periods daily, Monday through Thursday for three consecutive weeks.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from August 1, 2016 through August 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0682] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email david.m.frank@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Norfolk Southern Corporation requested a temporary deviation in order to perform maintenance on the Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical lift span bridge across the Black Warrior River, mile 267.8, at Eutaw, Greene County, Alabama. This deviation allows the bridge owner to install drive motors necessary to improve reliability and safe operation of the movable bridge. This temporary deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. daily, Monday through Thursday, August 1, 2016 through August 18, 2016.

The Norfolk Southern Railroad vertical lift span drawbridge currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, which states the general requirement that the drawbridge shall open on signal. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 18.3 feet above Bridge Reference Elevation for Navigation Clearance (BRENC), elevation 99.2 feet, in the closed-to-navigation position and 72 feet above BRENC in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of tugs with tows and occasional recreational craft. The Coast Guard has coordinated this temporary deviation with the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association (WTWA). The WTWA representative indicated that the vessel operators will be able to schedule transits through the bridge such that operations will not significantly be hindered. Thus, it has been determined that this temporary deviation will not have a significant effect on these vessels.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time and should pass at the slowest safe speed. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and there are no immediate alternate routes for vessels to pass.

The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge.

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.