Document ID: USCG-2015-0298-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Willamette River, Portland, OR (Federal register Publication) (Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.)
Posted Date: 2015-04-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22645-22646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09481]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0298]

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. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the annual Rock `n' Roll 10K event. This 
deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge to remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position and need not open for marine traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8:20 a.m. on May 17, 2015 until 
10:35 a.m. on May 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0298] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Portland Bureau of 
Transportation has requested that the upper deck of the Steel Bridge 
remain closed-to-navigation to accommodate the annual Rock `n' Roll 10K 
event. 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. 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 8:20 a.m. on 
May 17, 2015 until 10:35 a.m. on May 17, 2015. The deviation allows the 
upper deck of the Steel Bridge across the Willamette

[[Page 22646]]

River, mile 12.1, to remain in the closed-to-navigation position and 
need not open for maritime traffic from 8:20 a.m. on May 17, 2015 until 
10:35 a.m. on May 17, 2015. 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 bridge in the closed positions may 
do so at anytime. The bridge 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 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: April 17, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-09481 Filed 4-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P