Document ID: USCG-2016-0380-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR
Posted Date: 2016-05-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30178-30179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11381]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0380]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

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 upper deck of the Steel Bridge, 
mile 12.1, and the Burnside Bridge, mile 12.4, both crossing the 
Willamette River, at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary to 
accommodate the annual Rose Festival Parade event, which crosses the 
Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge. This deviation allows the upper deck 
of the Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position and need not open for marine traffic to allow for 
the safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 11, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0380] 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: TriMet Public Transit and Multnomah County 
have requested that the upper deck of the Steel Bridge and the Burnside 
Bridge remain in the closed-to-navigation position to accommodate the 
annual Rose Festival Parade event. The Steel Bridge, mile 12.1, and the 
Burnside Bridge, mile 12.4, both cross the Willamette River.
    The Steel Bridge 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. When the lower deck is in the up position, the 
bridge provides 71 feet of vertical clearance. This deviation does not 
affect the operating schedule of the lower deck which opens on signal. 
The normal operating schedule for the upper deck of the Steel Bridge 
operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii).
    The Burnside Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 64 feet in the 
closed-to-navigation position. The normal operating schedule for the 
Burnside Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(iii). 
The Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge clearances are above Columbia 
River Datum 0.0.

[[Page 30179]]

    The deviation period is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 11, 2016 to 
accommodate the route of the annual Rose Festival Parade event. The 
deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge, mile 12.1, and the 
Burnside Bridge, mile 12.4, both crossing the Willamette River, to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position and need not open for 
maritime traffic from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 11, 2016. 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 Steel Bridge and Burnside Bridge 
in the closed positions may do so at any time. 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 bridges 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: May 9, 2016.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2016-11381 Filed 5-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P