Document ID: USCG-2015-0034-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Columbia River, Vancouver, WA(Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2015-02-06T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6657-6658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02329]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0034]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge 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 to replace 
movable rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
closed position during maintenance activities.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on February 
25, 2015, and from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on February 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0034] 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 Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge 
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BNSF has requested that the BNSF Swing 
Bridge across the Columbia River, mile 105.6, remain closed to vessel 
traffic to facilitate replacement of movable rail joints. During this 
maintenance period the swing span of the BNSF Railway Bridge across the 
Columbia River at Vancouver, WA, will be disabled and the bridge will 
not be able to be open. The BNSF Swing Bridge, mile 105.6, provides 39 
feet of vertical clearance

[[Page 6658]]

above Columbia River Datum 0.0 while in the closed position. Vessels 
able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may do so at 
anytime. The current operating schedule for the bridge is set out in 33 
CFR 117.5. The normal operating schedule for the BNSF Swing Bridge 
states that the bridge must open promptly and fully on request. This 
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 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on February 25, 
2015, and 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on February 26, 2015. The bridge shall 
operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.5 at all other times. Waterway 
usage on this part of the Columbia River includes vessels ranging from 
commercial tug and tow vessels to recreational pleasure craft including 
cabin cruisers and sailing vessels. The bridge will not be able to open 
for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels 
to pass. 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 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 designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: January 22, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-02329 Filed 2-5-15; 8:45 am]
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