[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27099-27100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11349]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0384]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR.

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from 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 
across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, at Portland, OR. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the route of the annual Starlight Parade 
event, which crosses the Steel Bridge. 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 during the specified time.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 30, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0384] 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.,

[[Page 27100]]

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 Public Transit has requested that the 
upper deck of the Steel Bridge remain closed-to-navigation to 
accommodate the annual Starlight Parade 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 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 30, 2015. The deviation 
allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, 
mile 12.1, to remain in the closed-to-navigation position and need not 
open for maritime traffic from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on May 30, 2015. 
During the deviation period, the bridge will remained closed to 
accommodate the route of the annual Starlight Parade event.
    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: May 4, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-11349 Filed 5-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P