[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18477-18478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06989]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0153]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 18478]]


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 Steel Bridge across the Willamette 
River, miles 12.1, at Portland, Oregon. This deviation is necessary to 
accommodate the Rose Parade, and Starlight Parade events. This 
deviation allows the bridge upper deck to remain in the closed position 
to allow safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 p.m. June 1, 2013, until 1 
p.m. June 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0153] 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 Randall Overton, Bridge 
Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Barbara Hairston, 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 
facilitate safe efficient movement of light rail and roadway traffic 
associated with the Starlight Parade and 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 that 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 effective from 
7 p.m. on June 1, 2013, until 1 p.m. on June 8, 2013. The deviation 
allows the Steel Bridge upper deck to remain in the closed position and 
need not open for maritime traffic from 7 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on June 
1, 2013, and from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on June 8, 2013. The bridge shall 
operate in accordance with 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 bridges' operational status via the 
Coast Guard Notice to Mariners publication and Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners as appropriate. The bridge will be required to open, if 
needed, 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: March 14, 2013.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-06989 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P