Document ID: USCG-2014-0388-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Willamette River, Portland, OR (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.)
Posted Date: 2014-05-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30728-30729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12377]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0388]

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 safe and efficient movement of light 
rail and roadway traffic associated with

[[Page 30729]]

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 7, 2014 to 1:30 
p.m. on June 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2014-0388 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2014-0388 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge 
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email Steven.M.Fischer3@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Trimet of Portland has requested that the 
upper deck of the Steel Bridge remain closed to vessel traffic to 
accommodate the safe and 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 obtaining 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 7, 2014 
to 1:30 p.m. June 7, 2014. 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. on 
June 7, 2014 to 1:30 p.m. June 7, 2014. 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 16, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-12377 Filed 5-28-14; 8:45 am]
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