[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