[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 [email protected].

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