Document ID: USCG-2018-0200-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR
Posted Date: 2018-04-02T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06534]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0200]

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 lower deck of the Steel Bridge 
across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, in Portland, OR. The deviation 
is necessary to support the Bridge to Brews run event. This deviation 
allows the upper lift span of the bridge to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position to ensure the safety of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on 
April 15, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0200, 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: 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 Bridge to Brews 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 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on April 15, 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 to this deviation be submitted to the Local Notice to 
Mariners. 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: March 13, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-06534 Filed 3-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P