Document ID: USCG-2015-0837-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Illinois Waterway, Beardstown, IL (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2015-09-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 172 (Friday, September 4, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21964]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket Number USCG-2015-0837]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Illinois Waterway, Beardstown, 
IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railroad Bridge across the Illinois Waterway, mile 88.8, at Beardstown, 
Illinois. The deviation is necessary to allow signal upgrades to be 
installed which can only be done when the bridge is in the closed-to-
navigation position. The deviation allows the bridge to be in the 
closed-to-navigation position for 4 hours.

DATES: This deviation is effective from noon to 4 p.m., September 24, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0837] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Eric A. Washburn, Bridge 
Administrator, Western Rivers, Coast Guard; telephone (314) 269-2378, 
email Eric.Washburn@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 
Company requested a temporary deviation for the Burlington Northern 
Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad Bridge, mile 88.8, at Beardstown, Illinois 
across the Illinois Waterway. It has a vertical clearance of 19.6 feet 
above normal pool in the closed position. The BNSF Railroad Bridge 
currently operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.393(a) which requires 
that the bridge be maintained in the open-to-navigation position; 
closing only when a train needs to transit the bridge.
    The deviation period is from noon to 4 p.m., September 24, 2015, 
when the draw span will remain in the closed-to-navigation position. 
During this time signal upgrades will be installed. The draw span will 
not be returned to its fully open position until the upgrades are 
completed. Vessels will not be allowed to pass while the signal upgrade 
is in progress. The bridge can open in case of emergency.
    Navigation at the site of the bridge consists mainly of commercial 
vessels. Based on known waterway users, as well as coordination with 
those waterway users, it has been determined that this closure will not 
have a significant effect on these vessels. No alternate routes are 
available.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through 
our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessels 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.

    Dated: August 31, 2015.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-21964 Filed 9-3-15; 8:45 am]
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