2018-12282. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River at 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 Burnside Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.4, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to accommodate bridge repairs and upgrades. This deviation allows the double bascule bridge to operate one side only in single leaf mode.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on July 1, 2018 to 4 p.m. on October 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0300 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:

Multnomah County, Oregon owns the Burnside Bridge, crossing the Willamette River, mile 12.4, at Portland, OR, and has requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule. The requested deviation is to accommodate bridge repairs and upgrades. To facilitate this maintenance, the draw of the subject bridge will be authorized to operate in single leaf and open the east leaf of the span only. The bridge is also authorized to maintain the west leaf in the closed-to-navigation position to marine traffic, and reduce the vertical clearance up to ten feet. This deviation period is from 7 a.m. on July 1, 2018 to 4 p.m. on October 13, 2018.

The Burnside Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 41 feet in the closed-to-navigation position referenced to Columbia River Datum 0.0, and the west leaf will be reduced to 31 feet with scaffolding installed. The horizontal clearance for an east leaf opening will be 100 feet. The normal operating schedule is in 33 CFR 117.897. Waterway usage on this part of the Willamette River includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. The Coast Guard contacted all known users of the Willamette River for comment, and we received no objections for this deviation.

Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open the east side of the span only for emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway, through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners, of the change in operating schedule for the bridges 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 schedules 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: May 23, 2018.

Steven M. Fischer,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.