81 FR 24490 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 80 (April 26, 2016)

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. This deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24490-24491]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09629]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0338]


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. This deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow for the safe 
movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 4, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2016-0338] 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: TriMet Public Transit requested 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. The normal operating schedule for the 
Steel Bridge is in accordance with 33 CFR 117.897(c)(3)(ii). This 
deviation period is from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 4, 2016. The 
deviation allows the upper deck of the Steel Bridge 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 June 4, 2016.
    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 vessel operators can arrange their transits to 
minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

[[Page 24491]]

    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 20, 2016.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2016-09629 Filed 4-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P