Document ID: USCG-2016-0817-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Columbia River, Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA
Posted Date: 2016-08-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20368]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0817]

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 
movement and safety of pedestrians on the I-5 Bridges. This deviation 
allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position 
during the Hands Across the Bridge event.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 
5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0XXX] 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 d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Oregon Department of Transportation has 
requested that the Interstate 5 (I-5) Bridges across the Columbia River 
remain closed to vessel traffic to facilitate heavier than normal 
pedestrian traffic associated with Hands Across the Bridges event. The 
I-5 Bridges cross the Columbia River at mile 106.5, and provide 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. This deviation period is from 10 
a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 5, 2016. The deviation allows the lift 
spans of the I-5 Bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position, and need not open for maritime traffic during this period. 
The bridges 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 commercial tug and tow vessels to recreational 
pleasure craft.
    Vessels able to pass under the bridges in the closed positions may 
do so at anytime. The 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 19, 2016.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-20368 Filed 8-24-16; 8:45 am]
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