[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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