Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Galveston, 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 Galveston Causeway Railroad Bascule Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 357.2 west of Harvey Locks, at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. This deviation provides for two (2) three-hour closures to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Materials referred to in this document are available for inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs Federal Building, Room 1313, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3310 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (504) 671-2128. The Bridge Administration Branch of the Eighth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, telephone (504) 671-2129.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Burlington Northern Railway Company has requested a temporary deviation in order to perform necessary maintenance on the rail joints of the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bascule Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 357.2 west of Harvey Locks, at Galveston, Galveston County, Texas. The maintenance is essential for the continued safe operation of the railroad bridge. The bridge currently opens on signal in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5. This temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2006. This temporary deviation was originally published to occur on Wednesday, August 16, 2006; however, Burlington Northern Railway Company has requested to reschedule to Tuesday, August 29, 2006.

The bridge has a vertical clearance of 10 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-navigation position.

Navigation at the site of the bridge consists mainly of tows with barges and some recreational pleasure craft. Due to prior experience, as well as coordination with waterway users, it has been determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on these vessels. No alternate routes are available.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.