[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1806]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2011-0013]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Old Brazos River, Freeport,
Brazoria County, TX
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
Union Pacific Railroad Swing Span Bridge across the Old Brazos River,
mile 4.4, at Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas. This deviation allows
the bridge to remain closed to navigation for six 13-hour periods
between January 21 and January 30, 2011 and one 5-day period between
February 10 and 16, 2011.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 21, 2011
through 7 a.m. on February 10, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0013 and are available online
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0013 in the
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search.'' They are also available
for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or e-mail Phil Johnson, Bridge Management Specialist, Eighth Coast
Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, telephone 504-671-2128,
e-mail: [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations,
telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Union Pacific Railroad Company has
requested a temporary deviation from the published regulation for the
Union Pacific Railroad Bridge across the Old Brazos River in 33 CFR
117.975: The draw of the Union Pacific railroad bridge, mile 4.4 at
Freeport, shall be maintained in the fully open position, except for
the crossing of trains or for maintenance.
The Union Pacific Railroad Company requests a deviation to allow
the bridge to remain closed to marine traffic as follows: January 21,
22 and 23, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. January 28, 29 and 30, 2011 from
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 5 p.m. on February 10, 2011 until 7 a.m. on
February 16, 2011.
This deviation will allow the swing span of the bridge to remain in
the closed-to-navigation position in order for the north end of the
swing span to be cut off and for the span to be rebalanced. This work
is necessary due to an ongoing bridge modification project, authorized
by Coast Guard Bridge Permit Amendment P(7a-09-8) dated September 14,
2010. The project involves the eventual replacement of the swing span
with a vertical lift span. Foundations for the lift towers are
currently being constructed on both sides of the navigation channel.
The length of the swing span must be reduced on the north side so that
the lift tower may be set onto the foundation. The process of cutting
the steel truss members off of the swing span, while keeping the span
balanced on the pivot pier, requires that the swing span be maintained
in the closed-to-navigation position for the times specified above.
Vessel traffic at the bridge site consists of commercial fishing
vessels, commercial dive boats and recreational boats. There are no
alternate routes. During the closure times, the balancing process for
the swing span will prevent it from being able to open for emergencies.
Per 33 CFR 117.975: The normal operating schedule requires that the
draw of the Union Pacific railroad bridge, mile 4.4 at Freeport, shall
be maintained in the fully open position, except for the crossing of
trains or for maintenance.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated
time periods. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: January 11, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator,
By direction of the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-1806 Filed 1-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P