Document ID: USCG-2017-0411-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Galveston, TX
Posted Date: 2017-06-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 106 (Monday, June 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25727-25728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11553]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0411]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Galveston, TX

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 Galveston Causeway Railroad 
Vertical Lift Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), mile 
357.2 West of Harvey Locks (WHL), at Galveston, Galveston County, 
Texas. The deviation is necessary to replace decking on the bridge. 
This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position during the deviation period.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m. on June 5, 2017 
through 4:30 p.m. on June 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0411] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Donna Gagliano, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email 
Donna.Gagliano@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway 
Company requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule of 
the Galveston Causeway Railroad Vertical Lift Bridge across the GIWW, 
mile 357.2 WHL, at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. The bridge has a 
vertical clearance of 8.0 feet above mean high water, elevation 3 feet 
of the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) in the closed-to-
navigation position, and 73 feet above mean high water in the open-to-
navigation position. This bridge is governed by 33 CFR 117.5.
    This deviation was requested to allow the bridge owner to replace 
decking

[[Page 25728]]

caused by a derailment in February. This deviation allows the vertical 
lift bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7:30 
a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily, beginning June 5 
through June 8, 2017, with a scheduled two-hour opening each day to 
facilitate passage of vessel traffic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the 
bridge will revert to open on demand status at 4:30 p.m. each day.
    Navigation at the site of the bridge consists mainly of tows with 
barges and some recreational pleasure craft. The bridge can open in 
case of emergency. No alternate routes are available. The Coast Guard 
will 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 vessel operators can arrange 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: May 31, 2017.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-11553 Filed 6-2-17; 8:45 am]
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