[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 76297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31328]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1090]


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 
Morrison Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.8, at Portland, 
OR. The deviation is necessary to complete major rehabilitation of the 
bridge. This deviation allows single leaf operations during 
rehabilitation and requires a two hour advance notification for a 
single leaf opening.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on December 1, 2011 
through 6 p.m. on May 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1090 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1090 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 [email protected]. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Multnomah County has requested to operate 
the Morrison Bascule Bridge with single leaf openings with two hours 
advance notice. Single leaf openings are required to facilitate major 
maintenance activity and deck rehabilitation on the bridge. The 
Morrison Bridge crosses the Willamette River at mile 12.8. The Morrison 
Bridge is charted on NOAA Chart 18526 with a vertical clearance of 69 
ft above Columbia River Datum Mean Lower Low Water in the closed 
position. Under normal operations the bridge operates under 33 CFR 
117.897 which requires a one hour notice for openings between 8 a.m. 
and 5 p.m. on weekdays and two hour notice for openings at all other 
times. This current deviation states the Morrison Bridge is allowed to 
operate with single leaf openings. The bridge will promptly open a 
single leaf when at least two hours of advanced notice is given. This 
deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on December 1, 2011 through 6 p.m. 
on May 27, 2012. This stretch of the Willamette River experiences 
moderate maritime traffic volumes including vessels ranging from small 
recreational craft to commercial tug and tow. During this maintenance 
period a debris containment system will be attached to the inoperable 
bascule leaf and will reduce the vertical clearance under the 
inoperable leaf up to 8 ft. Vessels which do not require a bridge 
opening may continue to transit beneath the bridge during this 
deviation period. An assist tug will be provided for larger vessels 
when maneuvering is constrained by the limited opening.
    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: November 23, 2011.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-31328 Filed 12-6-11; 8:45 am]
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