# 2026-16121: Coast Guard Okays Train Yard to Remotely Open Texas Drawbridge?

2026-16121, Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Old Brazos River, Freeport, Texas, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-08-07, effective Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before September 8, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-14).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16121
- As of: 2026-08-14
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16121
- Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Old Brazos River, Freeport, Texas
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard
- Citation: 91 FR 51116
- Published: 2026-08-07
- Effective: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before September 8, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-09-08
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA09
- Last updated: 2026-08-14

## In one line

Coast Guard Okays Train Yard to Remotely Open Texas Drawbridge?

## Summary

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) drawbridge that crosses the Old Brazos River, mile 5.3, near Brazoria, TX. UPRR has proposed to remotely operate the drawbridge from their train yard located in Brazos, TX. The Coast Guard temporarily changed the regulation to test this system. During the test the drawbridge continued to operate safely and provided boats and mariners with a reasonable ability to use this waterway. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

## Effects PRIA read

- Bridge Now Remotely Operated: benefit, low. The rule proposes the Union Pacific Railroad drawbridge over the Old Brazos River to be maintained in the open-to-boat position and remotely operated (the proposed Sec. 117.975 text says remote operation by the CSX yard supervisor in Freeport, TX). Boats can contact the remote bridge tender on VHF-…
- Fail-Safe: Draw Must Stay Open on Remote Failures: benefit, medium. The proposed rule requires UPRR to place and keep the draw in the open-to-boat position immediately if camera, thermal imaging, microwave sensor, communications, weather visibility, safety, cybersecurity, dispatcher evacuation, or other listed failures prevent safe remote operation. The draw may on…
- No Significant Impact Found for Small Entities: benefit, low. The Coast Guard certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If your small business or organization believes it would be significantly affected, the Coast Guard invite…

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## Sources
- [2026-16121 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16121/drawbridge-operation-regulation-old-brazos-river-freeport-texas)
- [2026-16121 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-07/pdf/2026-16121.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16118, Safety Zone; Chevron GENESIS SPAR Outer Continental Shelf Facility, Green Canyo…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16118)
- [Next: 2026-16124, Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Drawbridge Operation Regulation; San Bernard R…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16124)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16121 (as of 2026-08-14).