Document ID: USCG-2014-0829-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Willamette River, Portland, OR (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-09-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 184 (Tuesday, September 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22591]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0829]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railway Bridge, also known as the St. Johns RR Bridge, across the 
Willamette River, mile 6.9, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary 
to facilitate installation of new rail joints. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain in the closed position during maintenance 
activities.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 23, 2014 to 
5 p.m. on October 2, 2014, and will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
on September 23, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 25, 2014; 
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 30, 2014; and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
on October 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0829] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge 
Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email steven.m.fischer3@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway 
requested this deviation to facilitate the installation of new rail 
joints on the bridge. The bridge, also known as the St. Johns RR 
Bridge, crosses the Willamette River at mile 6.9 and provides 54 feet 
of vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 0.0 while in the 
closed position. Under normal operations, this bridge opens on signal 
as required by 33 CFR 117.5. The deviation period is from 7 a.m. to 5 
p.m. on September 23, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 25, 
2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 30, 2014; and from 7 a.m. to 5 
p.m. on October 2, 2014. This deviation allows the lift span of the 
BNSF Railway Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 6.9, to remain in 
the closed position and need not open for maritime traffic during the 
periods listed above The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 
Sec.  117.5 at all other times. BNSF will entertain requests from 
mariners to change the above listed schedule for emergent vessel 
arrivals or departures that are dependent on water level, given 72 
hours advanced notice. The BNSF contact is Ron Berry, who can be 
reached at (913) 551-4164. Waterway usage on this stretch of the 
Willamette River includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge 
to small pleasure craft.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may 
do so at any time. Barring coordination with BNSF, the bridge will not 
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 vessels 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.

    Dated: September 9, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-22591 Filed 9-22-14; 8:45 am]
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