[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24146-24147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9733]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0311]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) 
Railway Bridge across the Columbia River, mile 105.6, at Vancouver, WA. 
This deviation is necessary to accommodate maintenance of the train 
signaling system scheduled for April 30, 2012. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain in the closed position for the duration of the 
maintenance activity.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on April 30, 2012 
through 8 p.m. April 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-

[[Page 24147]]

0311 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, 
inserting USCG-2012-0311 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 email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone 206-220-7282 email [email protected]. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BNSF has requested that the BNSF Swing 
Bridge across the Columbia River remain closed to vessel traffic to 
facilitate maintenance of the train signaling system. BNSF will be 
``cutting over'' the train signaling system to a new system on April 
30, 2012. During this cut-over the swing span of the BNSF Railway 
Bridge across the Columbia River will be disabled and the bridge will 
not be able to be opened. The BNSF Bridge crosses the Columbia River, 
mile 105.6, and in accordance to NOAA Chart 18526 provides 39 feet of 
vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 0.0 while in the closed 
position. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to 
transit beneath the bridge during this closure period. Under normal 
operation the bridge opens on signal as required by 33 CFR 117.5. This 
deviation period is from 8 a.m. on April 30, 2012 through 8 p.m. April 
30, 2012. The deviation allows the swing span of the BNSF Railway 
Bridge across the Columbia River, mile 105.6, to remain in the closed 
position and need not open for maritime traffic from 8 a.m. through 8 
p.m. on April 30, 2012. The swing span will be required to open, if 
needed, for vessels engaged in emergency response operations during 
this closure period. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 
117.5 at all other times. Waterway usage on this stretch of the 
Columbia River includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and tow 
vessels to recreational pleasure craft including cabin cruisers and 
sailing vessels. Mariners will be notified and kept informed of the 
bridge's operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate.
    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 period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: April 9, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-9733 Filed 4-20-12; 8:45 am]
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