[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30729-30730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12382]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0389]


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 the Starlight 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 p.m. on May 31, 2014 to 11:30 
p.m. on May 31, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2014-0389 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2014-0389 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 [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, 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 the safe and 
efficient movement of light rail and roadway traffic associated with 
the Starlight 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 p.m. on May 31, 2014 to 11:30 p.m. May 31, 
2014. The deviation allows the upper deck of

[[Page 30730]]

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 p.m. 
on May 31, 2014 to 11:30 p.m. May 31, 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 15, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-12382 Filed 5-28-14; 8:45 am]
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