Document ID: USCG-2017-0766-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR
Posted Date: 2017-08-18T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17523]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0766]

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 upper deck of the Steel Bridge 

across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, in Portland, OR. The deviation 

is necessary to support the removal and replacement of roadway 

pavement. This deviation allows the upper lift span of the bridge to 

remain in the closed-to-navigation position to ensure the safety of 

construction crew members.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 4 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on October 

7, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2017-0766, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 

temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge 

Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282, 

email d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR), 

bridge owner, has requested a temporary deviation from the operating 

schedule for the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, at mile 

12.1, in Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to accommodate 

roadway improvements. Oregon Department of Transportation will be 

removing and replacing pavement on the upper lift roadway. The Steel 

Bridge is a double-deck lift bridge with a lower lift deck and an upper 

lift deck which operate independent of each other. To facilitate this 

paving operation, the upper deck will remain in the closed-to-

navigation position. When the lower deck is in the closed-to-navigation 

position, the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance above 

Columbia River Datum 0.0; and in open-to-navigation position, the 

vertical clearance is 71 feet above Columbia River Datum 0.0. The 

deviation period is from 4 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on October 7, 2017. The 

lower deck for the Steel Bridge will continue to operate in accordance 

with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii), and at the end of this deviation period, 

the upper deck of the Steel Bridge will resume operating in accordance 

with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii).

    Waterway usage on this part of the Willamette River includes 

vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. 

Vessels able to pass through the bridge with the lower deck in the 

open-to-navigation position or upper deck in the closed-to-navigation 

position may do so at any time. The upper lift of the Steel Bridge will 

not be able to open for emergencies; however, the lower lift will be 

able to open for emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route 

for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard has conducted public outreach 

regarding this closure of the upper deck on the subject bridge to known 

mariners that transit on the river. The Coast Guard has not received 

any objections to this temporary deviation from the operating schedule. 

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 vessel operators 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 designated 

time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 

authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: August 15, 2017.

Steven Michael Fischer,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 2017-17523 Filed 8-17-17; 8:45 am]

 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P