81 FR 89861 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 239 (December 13, 2016)

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the upper deck and lower deck of the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to allow work crews to upgrade the electrical power and controls system. This deviation allows both upper and lower spans of the Steel Bridge to remain in the closed-to- navigation position to allow for the safe replacement of bridge operating equipment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 89861-89862]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29775]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-1045]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the upper deck and lower deck of the 
Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, at Portland, OR. 
The deviation is necessary to allow work crews to upgrade the 
electrical power and controls system. This deviation allows both upper 
and lower spans of the Steel Bridge to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position to allow for the safe replacement of bridge 
operating equipment.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 a.m. on January 9, 2017 to 
11:59 p.m. on January 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2016-1045 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 [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) has 
requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the 
Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, at mile 12.1, at Portland, 
OR. The deviation is necessary to accommodate work crews to conduct 
timely bridge equipment upgrades and replacement. The Steel Bridge is a 
double-deck lift bridge with a lower lift deck and an

[[Page 89862]]

upper lift deck which operate independent of each other. To facilitate 
this event, the upper deck and the lower deck will remain in closed-to-
navigation position. When both decks are in the closed-to-navigation 
position, the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance above 
Columbia River Datum 0.0. The deviation period is from 5 a.m. on 
January 9, 2017 to 11:59 p.m. on January 18, 2017. The normal operating 
schedule for the Steel Bridge is 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 in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. UPRR has conducted a detailed public outreach for this ten day 
closure of both decks on the Steel Bridge to Multnomah County, and 
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: December 7, 2016.
Steven M Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-29775 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P