2019-18109. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New River, Fort Lauderdale, FL  

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    AGENCY:

    Coast Guard, DHS.

    ACTION:

    Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; request for comments.

    SUMMARY:

    The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Railroad Bridge across the New River, mile 2.5, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This deviation is necessary to test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. Under this deviation, the bridge shall not be closed more than 60 combined minutes in each consecutive 120-minute block of time, and at no time will this bridge be closed to navigation for more than 60 consecutive minutes of time. This deviation supports ongoing negotiations between the railroad and maritime stakeholders as the parties discuss a Final Rule that reasonably meets their interests.

    DATES:

    This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2019, to 11:59 p.m. on October 18, 2019.

    Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before September 19, 2019.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2019-0714 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.

    See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    If you have questions on this test deviation, call or email LT Samuel Rodriguez-Gonzalez, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Miami Waterways Management Division; telephone 305-535-4307, email Samuel.Rodriguez-Gonzalez@uscg.mil.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis

    The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Railroad Bridge across the New River, mile 2.5, at Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a single-leaf bascule railroad bridge with a 4 foot vertical clearance at mean high water in the closed position. The normal operating schedule for the bridge is found in 33 CFR 117.313(c). There has been an increase in rail traffic over the bridge in recent years due the start of passenger rail service. This test deviation provides a block schedule for the bridge to operate allowing for a more consistent operating schedule.

    The draw shall operate as follows:

    (1) The bridge shall be constantly tended.

    (2) The bridge tender will utilize a VHF-FM radio to communicate on channels 9 and 16 and may be contacted by telephone at 305-889-5572.

    (3) Signs will be posted displaying VHF radio contact information and Start Printed Page 43502telephone numbers for the bridge tender and dispatch. A countdown clock giving notice of time remaining before bridge closure shall remain at the bridge site and must be visible for maritime traffic.

    (4) A bridge log will be maintained including, at a minimum, bridge opening and closing times.

    (5) When the draw is in the fully open position, green lights will be displayed to indicate that vessels may pass.

    (6) When a train approaches, the lights go to flashing red then the draw lowers and locks.

    (7) After the train has cleared the bridge, the draw opens and the lights return to green.

    (8) The bridge shall not be closed more than 60 minutes combined in each consecutive 120-minute block of time beginning at 12:01 a.m. each day. At no time will the bridge be closed to navigation for more than 60 consecutive minutes of time.

    (9) The bridge shall remain open to maritime traffic when trains are not crossing.

    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at anytime. The bridge will 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.

    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 http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov,, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.

    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov/​privacynotice.

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    Dated: August 19, 2019.

    Barry Dragon,

    Director, Bridge Branch, Seventh Coast Guard District.

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    [FR Doc. 2019-18109 Filed 8-19-19; 4:15 pm]

    BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/20/2019
Published:
08/21/2019
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulations; request for comments.
Document Number:
2019-18109
Dates:
This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on August 20, 2019, to 11:59 p.m. on October 18, 2019.
Pages:
43501-43502 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. USCG-2019-0714
PDF File:
2019-18109.Pdf
CFR: (1)
33 CFR 117