Rules and Regulations. Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations

Agency: Coast Guard, DHS
Action: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations
Citation: FR Doc. 2016-19933 · Docket No. USCG-2016-0774 · 33 CFR 117

Summary

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Victoria Barge Canal Railroad Bridge across Victoria Barge Canal, mile 29.4, at Bloomington, Victoria County, Texas. The deviation is necessary to conduct maintenance on the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily closed-to-navigation for 12 hours.

Dates

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 1, 2016.

Supplementary Information

The Victoria County Navigation District/Port of Victoria in conjunction with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule of the Victoria Barge Canal Railroad Lift Bridge across Victoria Barge Canal, mile 29.4, at Bloomington, Victoria County, Texas. This deviation was requested to allow the bridge owner to replace old wire cables utilized in the raising and lowering of the bridge deck. This bridge is governed by 33 CFR 117.991. This deviation allows the vertical lift bridge to remain closed-to-navigation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 22 feet above high water in the closed-to-navigation position and 50 feet above high water in the open-to-navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists of commercial traffic,-which is primarily vessels and tows providing services to the Port of Victoria. For the duration of the replacement of cables, vessels will not be allowed to pass through the bridge. Vessels traffic coordination will be scheduled to avoid unnecessary delays. 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 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. David M. Frank, Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2016-19933 Filed 8-19-16; 8:45 am]