Document ID: USCG-2012-0026-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Willamette River, Portland, OR (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2012-01-25T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1439]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0026]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of 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 track maintenance involving 
welding on the movable section of the bridge. This deviation allows the 
bridge to remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 a.m. on January 30, 2012 
through 3 p.m. February 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0026 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0026 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 email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone (206) 220-7282 email randall.d.overton@uscg.mil. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway 
has requested to not open the BNSF Railroad Lift Bridge for vessels to 
facilitate track maintenance. 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. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may 
continue to transit beneath the bridge during this closure period. 
Under normal operations this bridge opens on signal as required by 33 
CFR 117.5. The deviation period is from 9 a.m. on January 30, 2012 
through 3 p.m. February 1, 2012. 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 
from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. daily from January 30, 2012 through February 
1, 2012. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.5 at all 
other times. Waterway usage on this stretch of the Willamette River 
includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small 
pleasure craft. Mariners have been notified and will be kept informed 
of the bridge's operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to 
Mariners publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. 
Due to the nature of work being performed the draw span will be unable 
to open for maritime traffic during this maintenance period.
    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: January 11, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-1439 Filed 1-24-12; 8:45 am]
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