
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18996-18997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07611]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0190]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 Race for the Roses event. This deviation allows the 
upper deck of the Steel Bridge to remain in the closed position to 
facilitate safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on 
April 13, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0190] 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 Steven.M.Fischer@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

[[Page 18997]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The City of Portland has requested that the 
upper deck of the Steel Bridge remain closed and need not open for 
vessel traffic in order to facilitate safe efficient movement of event 
participants in the Race for the Roses 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. 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 obtain 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 allows the Steel 
Bridge upper deck to remain in the closed position and need not open 
for maritime traffic from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on April 13, 2014. 
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 19, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-07611 Filed 4-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


