2012-12237. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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 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 June 2, 2012 through 11:30 p.m. June 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0406 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2012-0406 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 rule, call or email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone [phone] email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

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 safe 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 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 period is from 7 p.m. on June 2, 2012 through 11:30 p.m. June 2, 2012. The deviation allows the upper deck of 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. through 11:30 p.m. on June 2, 2012. 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 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 7, 2012.

Randall D. Overton,

Bridge Administrator.