Document ID: USCG-2012-0412-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Willamette River, Portland, OR (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.)
Posted Date: 2012-05-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 29897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12232]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0412]

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 upper deck of the Steel Bridge 
across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, at Portland, OR. This deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the efficient movement of light rail and 
roadway traffic associated with the Rose Parade in Portland, Oregon. 
This deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge to remain in 
the closed position to facilitate efficient movement of event patrons.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on June 9, 2012 through 
1 p.m. June 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0412 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0412 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available 
for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), 
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone 206-220-7282 email randall.d.overton@uscg.mil. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Trimet of Portland and the Oregon Department 
of Transportation have requested that the upper deck of the Steel 
Bridge remain closed to vessel traffic to facilitate safe efficient 
movement of light rail and roadway traffic associated with the Rose 
Parade. The Steel Bridge crosses the Willamette River at mile 12.1 and 
is a double-deck lift bridge with a lower lift deck and an upper lift 
deck which operate independent of each other. When both decks are in 
the down position the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance 
above Columbia River Datum 0.0. When the lower deck is in the up 
position the bridge provides 71 feet of vertical clearance above 
Columbia River Datum 0.0. This deviation does not affect the operating 
schedule of the lower deck which opens on signal. Vessels which do not 
require an opening of the upper deck of the bridge may continue to 
transit beneath the bridge and, if needed, may obtain an opening of the 
lower deck of the bridge for passage during this closure period of the 
upper deck. Under normal conditions the upper deck of the Steel Bridge 
operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii) which states that 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday one hour advance notice 
shall be given for draw openings and at all other times two hours 
advance notice shall be given to obtain an opening. This deviation 
period is from 7 a.m. on June 9, 2012 through 1 p.m. June 9, 2012. The 
deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge across the 
Willamette River, mile 12.1, to remain in the closed position and need 
not open for maritime traffic from 7 a.m. through 1 p.m. on June 9, 
2012. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.897 at all 
other times. Waterway usage on this stretch of the Willamette River 
includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small 
pleasure craft. Mariners will be notified and kept informed of the 
bridge's operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. The lift 
span will be required to open, if needed, for public vessels of the 
United States and Canada and for vessels engaged in emergency response 
operations during this closure period.
    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: May 8, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-12232 Filed 5-18-12; 8:45 am]
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