2013-08171. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; 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 Hawthorne Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 13.1, at Portland, OR. This deviation is necessary to accommodate Portland's Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

DATES:

This deviation is effective on May 19, 2013, from 3 a.m. until 12:01 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0202] 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 Randall Overton, Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Multnomah County has requested that the Hawthorne lift bridge remain closed to vessel traffic to facilitate safe, uninterrupted roadway passage of participants of the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon event. The Hawthorne Bridge crosses the Willamette River at mile 13.1 and provides 49 feet of vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 0.0 while in the closed position. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the bridge during this closure period. Under normal conditions this bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.897 which allows for the bridge to remain closed between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This deviation period is from 3 a.m. on May 19, 2013, until 12:01 p.m. May 19, 2013. The deviation allows the Hawthorne Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 13.1, to remain in the closed position and not open for maritime traffic from 3 a.m. on May 19, 2013, until 12:01 p.m. May 19, 2013. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.897 at all other times. Waterway usage on this stretch of the Willamette River includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. Mariners will be notified and kept informed of the bridge's operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. The draw span will be required to open, if needed, for vessels engaged in emergency response operations during this closure period.

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: March 25, 2013.

Randall D. Overton,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.