[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10012-10013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03882]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0059]


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 replacement of the frayed counterweight wire ropes for 
the lift mechanism of the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

[[Page 10013]]


DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on March 19, 2014 to 7 
p.m. on April 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0059] 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 [email protected]. 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 replacement of the frayed 
counterweight wire ropes for the lift mechanism of 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. on March 19, 2014 to 7 p.m. on April 
15, 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 following four 
12 hour periods: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2014; 7 a.m. 
to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 
March 27, 2014; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. The 
bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 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 water 
level dependant given 72 hours advanced notice. 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 which do not require a bridge opening may continue to 
transit beneath the bridge during this closure period. Due to the 
nature of work being performed the draw span will be unable to open for 
for emergencies. 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 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: February 10, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-03882 Filed 2-21-14; 8:45 am]
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