2018-22231. 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 upper deck of the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, in Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to support the Run Like Hell half marathon run event. This deviation allows the upper lift span of the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on October 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0922, 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 [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) owns and operates the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, at mile 12.1, in Portland, OR. UPRR has requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the Steel Bridge upper lift span. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the annual Run Like Hell half marathon run event. The Steel Bridge is a double-deck lift bridge and the lower lift span operates independent of the upper lift span. To facilitate this temporary deviation request, the upper lift span is authorized to remain in the closed-to-navigation position, and need not open to marine vessels from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on October 21, 2018. When the lower span is in the closed-to-navigation position, the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 0.0. When the upper span is in the closed-to-navigation position, and the lower span is in the open-to-navigation position, the vertical clearance is 71 feet above Columbia River Datum 0.0. The lower lift span of the Steel Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5.

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 subject bridge with the lower deck in the closed-to-navigation position, or in the open-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The lower and upper lift of the Steel Bridge will be able to open for emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard requested objections from known river users groups to this deviation via email. We have not received any objections to this temporary deviation from the operating schedule. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the subject 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: October 5, 2018.

Steven M. Fischer,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.