Document ID: USCG-2018-0775-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA
Posted Date: 2018-08-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40985-40986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17801]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0775]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Portland, OR and 
Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridges across 
the Columbia River, mile 106.5, between Portland, Oregon, and 
Vancouver, Washington. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the 
presence of participants in the Hands Across the Bridge Project. This 
deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position during the event.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 
3, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0775 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 206-220-7282, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Oregon Department of Transportation (bridge 
owner) requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for 
the I-5 Bridges, mile 106.5, across the Columbia River between 
Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR, to facilitate safe passage of 
participants in the Hands Across the Bridge Project. The I-5 Bridges 
provides three designated navigation channels with vertical clearances 
ranging from 39 to 72 feet above Columbia River Datum 0.0 while the 
lift spans are in the closed-to-navigation position. The normal 
operating schedule for the I-5 Bridges is 33 CFR 117.869. The subject 
bridges need not open to marine vessels during

[[Page 40986]]

the deviation period from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 3, 2018. The 
bridge shall operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.869 at all other 
times. Waterway usage on this part of the Columbia River includes 
vessels ranging from large commercial ships, tug and tow vessels to 
recreational pleasure craft.
    Vessels able to pass under the bridges in the closed-to-navigation 
positions may do so at any time. Both bridges will 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 drawbridges must return to 
their 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.

    Dated: August 9, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-17801 Filed 8-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P