[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07955]



[[Page 16776]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0284]


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 upper deck of the Steel Bridge 
across the Willamette River, mile 12.1, in Portland, OR. The deviation 
is necessary to support multiple events. This deviation allows the 
lower lift span of the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9:30 a.m. on May 6, 2018 to 
11:59 p.m. on June 23, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0284, 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.

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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) owns 
and operates the Steel Bridge across the Willamette River, at mile 
12.1, in Portland, OR. UPRR requested a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule for the Steel Bridge upper lift span. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate multiple community events. This deviation 
authorizes UPRR to operate the Steel Bridge upper lift span as follows:

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            Time/date start                      Time/date end                           Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 a.m./May 6, 2018....................  9:30 a.m./May 6, 2018.........  Upper lift closed.
7 p.m./June 2, 2018...................  11:59 p.m./June 2, 2018.......  Upper lift closed.
7 a.m./June 9, 2018...................  1 p.m./June 9, 2018...........  Upper lift closed.
4 a.m./June 23, 2018..................  11:59 p.m./June 23, 2018......  Upper lift closed.
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    The Steel Bridge is a double-deck lift bridge, and the lower lift 
span operates independent of the upper lift span. To facilitate this 
deviation, the upper deck will remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position. When the lower deck is in the closed-to-navigation position, 
the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance above Columbia River 
Datum 0.0; and in open-to-navigation position, the vertical clearance 
is 71 feet above Columbia River Datum 0.0. The lower lift deck of the 
Steel Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5. The upper lift 
deck of the Steel Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 
117.897(c)(3)(ii), and at the end of this deviation period, the upper 
deck of the Steel Bridge will resume operating in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii).
    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 subject bridge with the upper deck in 
the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The lower lift 
of the Steel Bridge will be able to open for emergencies, and there is 
no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard 
requested objections be submitted to this deviation in the Local Notice 
to Mariners. We have not received any objections to this temporary 
deviation from the operating schedule. The Coast Guard will also inform 
the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the subject bridge so 
that vessel operators 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 10, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-07955 Filed 4-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


