Temporary Safety Zone on Ohio River: Power Line Work Near Aurora, Indiana

You might care about this because the Coast Guard is creating a temporary safety zone on a part of the Ohio River in Aurora, Indiana. This zone will be in effect from August 3, 2026, to August 9, 2026, specifically between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, or until the work is finished. The reason for this temporary restriction is to keep people and boats safe during a project to replace overhead power lines. Duke Energy will be doing this work. Heavy machinery will be used, which can be dangerous for anyone nearby. The safety zone covers the navigable waters of the Ohio River from mile marker 499 to mile marker 497. During these times, no vessels or people can enter this area without special permission from the Captain of the Port, Ohio Valley. This rule was put in place quickly because of the safety risk and the need to act fast, so there was no time for public comments beforehand. The Coast Guard acted under its authority to protect people, vessels, and the environment. What makes this rule particularly interesting is how quickly it was put into effect. The Coast Guard issued this temporary rule without first asking for public comments, which is unusual for new regulations. They explained that this was necessary because of the urgent need to protect people from the immediate dangers of the power line replacement project. They only learned about the project recently and had to establish the safety zone quickly. This shows that the Coast Guard can act fast when there is a clear and present danger to public safety on waterways. The rule prevents accidents by keeping boats and people away from the heavy equipment and other hazards involved in replacing power lines over a river. It also highlights the responsibility of the Captain of the Port to make quick decisions to keep everyone safe. People who would be most interested in this legal document include anyone who regularly uses the Ohio River in the Aurora, Indiana area for boating, fishing, or recreation. Commercial shipping companies and barge operators that travel this section of the river will also need to be aware of the temporary restrictions to avoid delays or penalties. Local residents living near the river, especially those with private docks or boats, should pay attention to these dates. Environmental groups might also be interested in how the marine environment is protected during such infrastructure work. Finally, construction companies or utility providers working near waterways could find this useful as an example of how safety zones are implemented for projects like power line replacements.