Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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 installation of new rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 23, 2014 to 5 p.m. on October 2, 2014, and will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 23, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 25, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 30, 2014; and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0829] 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 steven.m.fischer3@uscg.mil. 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 the installation of new rail joints on 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. to 5 p.m. on September 23, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 25, 2014; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 30, 2014; and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 2, 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 the periods listed above 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 dependent on water level, given 72 hours advanced notice. The 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 able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may do so at any time. Barring coordination with BNSF, the bridge will not be able to open for emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. 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 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.