[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29204-29205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11396]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0301]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Three Mile Creek, AL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the CSX Railroad drawbridge across 
Three Mile Creek, mile 0.0, Mobile, AL. This deviation is needed to 
collect and analyze data and information on vessel traffic when bridge 
openings are scheduled during specific periods during each day. This 
deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to 
determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. The 
Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public regarding these 
proposed changes.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. June 1, 2021 through 6 
p.m. August 2, 2021.
    Comments and relate material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before July 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0301 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
    See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion 
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this test 
deviation, call or email Mr. Doug Blakemore, Eighth Coast Guard 
District Bridge Administrator; telephone (504) 671-2128, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis

    The CSX Railroad drawbridge across Three Mile Creek, mile 0.0 in 
Mobile, AL operates under 33 CFR 117.500. In the open to vessel 
position the drawbridge has a horizontal clearance of 56 feet and 
unlimited vertical clearance. In the closed to vessel position the 
bridge has a vertical clearance of 10 feet.
    This bridge has failed to open on signal when CSX builds trains 
from their rail yard in Mobile, AL that extend onto the drawbridge. CSX 
has changed their rail yard operating schedule to open the bridge to 
vessel traffic each day from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 
and 10:30-p.m.-11:30 p.m. During these periods CSX will not station 
trains on the bridge from their yard. All vessels in the queue will be 
passed through the bridge. CSX will open the bridge on signal at all 
other times if there are no trains on the bridge. This change will 
allow vessel operators to schedule their trips through this bridge and 
to pass through at all other times when there are no trains on the 
bridge.
    From 6 a.m. June 1, 2021 through 6 p.m. August 2, 2021 the draw of 
the CSX railroad bridge across Three Mile Creek mile 0.0 shall open 
daily from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.-
11:30 p.m. At all other times the draw shall open on signal if there 
are no train cars stationed on the bridge. During all openings the draw 
shall not close until the queue of all vessels seeking passage is 
cleared.
    This 60 day test deviation will allow the Coast Guard to collect 
data on the impact of the proposed regulation change on vessels.
    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 so that vessel operators can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    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.

II. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.

[[Page 29205]]

    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and 
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System 
of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned as being available in this docket and all 
public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified of any posting or updates to the 
docket.

    Dated: May 20, 2021.
Douglas A. Blakemore,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2021-11396 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
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