[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26819]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2015-0967]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Hawthorne Bridge, mile 13.1, across
the Willamette River at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary for
maintenance repairs to the bridge lifting mechanism. This deviation
allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to
allow safe and timely movement of workers.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November
15, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0967] 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 the Bridge Administrator, Coast
Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7234 email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Multnomah County has requested that the
Hawthorne Bridge, mile 13.1, across the Willamette River at Portland,
Oregon remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 5 a.m. until 5
p.m. on November 15, 2015 to allow for critical maintenance repairs to
the bridge lifting mechanism.
The Hawthorne Bridge is a vertical lift bridge providing 49 feet of
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position, and unlimited
clearance in the open position referenced to the vertical clearance
above Columbia River Datum 0.0. The Hawthorne Bridge operates in
accordance with 33 CFR 117.897, which allows the bridge to remain
closed between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through
Friday. No advance notice for an opening is required.
Moderate to heavy vessel traffic exists on this part of the
Willamette River, including vessels ranging from commercial tug and
barge to small pleasure craft. The average number of drawbridge
openings for the time covered by this deviation is three lifts. This
deviation allows the lift span of the Hawthorne Bridge across the
Willamette River, mile 13.1, to remain in the closed-to-navigation
position, and need not open for maritime traffic from 5 a.m. until 5
p.m. on November 15, 2015. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33
CFR 117.897 at all other times.
Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation
position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to
immediately open for emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate
route for vessels to pass. However, with a two hour notification for an
emergency opening request, the lift mechanism may be reassembled for
the lift span to be opened. Major waterway users have been notified and
coordinated with for this deviation period. 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 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 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 16, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-26819 Filed 10-21-15; 8:45 am]
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