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FL: Okeechobee Waterway, Stuart, FEC RR Bridge, Temporary Deviation - UPDATE
- Date Reported: Aug 8, 2024
- Reporter: Ted Stehle
- Source: CG 7th District LNM 0732/24
- Description:
UPDATE: The notice is identified by docket number USCG-2022-0222 at https://www.regulations.gov. Additional information is provided in the
online document, Please read. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a temporary interim rule (TIR) which suspends drawbridge operation regulation, 33
CFR 117.317(c) and temporarily adds 33 CFR 117.317(k) which will govern the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St.
Lucie River), mile 7.41, at Stuart, Florida.
The TIR will be published in Federal Register with a request for comments. Comments may be submitted under docket number USCG-2022-0222 using
Federal Decision Making Portal athttps://www.regulations.gov. Public comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before
September 23, 2024. Under the modified temporary deviation, the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge will operate as follows from 12:01 a.m. on February 12,
2024, through 11:59 p.m. on August 9, 2024, and under this TIR, the FEC Stuart Railroad Bridge will operate as follows from 12:01 a.m. on August 9,
2024, through 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2024:
1. The FEC Railroad Bridge will be maintained in the fully open-to-navigation position, except during periods when it is closed for the passage of
train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
2. The bridge will not be closed for more than 50 consecutive minutes in any given hour during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and for
more than 7 total hours during daytime operations (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
3. Notwithstanding condition #1 and #2, the drawbridge will open and remain open to navigation for a fixed 10-minute period at the top of each
hour from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
4. From 8:01 p.m. until 5:59 a.m. daily, the drawbridge will remain in the fully open-to navigation position, except during periods when it is closed
for the passage of train traffic, to conduct inspections, and to perform maintenance and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard. The
drawbridge will not be closed more than 60 consecutive minutes.
5. If a train is in the track circuit at the start of a fixed opening period, the opening may be delayed up to, but not more than, five minutes. Once
the train has cleared the circuit, the bridge must open immediately for navigation to begin the fixed opening period.
6. The drawbridge will be tended from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. The bridge tender will monitor VHF-FM channels 9 and 16 and will provide
estimated times of drawbridge openings and closures, or any operational information requested. Operational information will be provided 24
hours a day by telephone at (772) 403-1005.
7. The drawbridge owner will maintain a mobile application. The drawbridge owner will publish drawbridge opening times, and the drawbridge
owner will provide timely updates to schedules, including but not limited to, impacts due to emergency circumstances, inspections,
maintenance, and repairs authorized by the Coast Guard.
8. Signs will be posted and visible to marine traffic, displaying VHF radio contact information, application information, and the telephone number
for the bridge tender.
There is a bridge app and website for the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad Bridge, across the Okeechobee Waterway (St. Lucie River), at Stuart, FL.
This app and website provide mariners with real-time information about the FEC Railway/Brightline rail bridge openings and closures. To download the
bridge app, search for "Bridge Schedule" in the Apple and Android app stores or visit http://www.bridgeschedule.com.
If you have questions on this rulemaking, call or e-mail Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard District, telephone
(305) 415-6740, email [email protected]
- Lat / Lon: N 27° 12.218' / W 080° 15.583'
