E9-23874. Drawbridge Operating Regulations; Victoria Barge Canal, Bloomington, TX

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Vertical Lift Span Bridge across the Victoria Barge Canal, mile 29.4 at Bloomington, Victoria County, Texas. The deviation is necessary to allow for joint replacement on the draw span. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for 8 consecutive hours on October 19 and 20, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2009 until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0857 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2009-0857 in the “Keyword” box and then clicking “Search.” They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 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 rule, call or e-mail Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration Branch, Eighth Coast Guard District; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Victoria County Navigation District has requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule of the UPRR Vertical Lift Span Bridge across the Victoria Barge Canal, mile 29.4 at Bloomington, Texas. The vertical lift 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.

Presently, the bridge opens on signal for the passage of vessels. This deviation allows the draw span of the bridge to remain closed to navigation for 8 consecutive hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day on October 19 and 20, 2009. Navigation on the waterway consists mainly of tugs with tows. Due to prior experience and coordination with waterway users, it has been determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on these vessels.

The vertical lift 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. No alternate routes are available. The closures are necessary to allow for rail joint replacement on the bridge. As this work is proposed during hurricane season, the work may be postponed and rescheduled, should any tropical storms or hurricanes enter or develop in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard has coordinated the closures with the commercial users of the waterway.

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: September 21, 2009.

David M. Frank,

Bridge Administrator.