Document ID: USCG-2018-0919-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Duwamish Waterway, Seattle, WA
Posted Date: 2018-10-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 194 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21674]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0919]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Duwamish Waterway, Seattle, WA

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 South Park highway bridge (South 
Park Bridge), across the Duwamish Waterway mile 3.8, at Seattle, WA. 
The deviation allows the bridge owner to remove the drawtender during 
the late evening and early morning hours. This deviation authorizes the 
subject bridge to open during nighttime hours after receiving a 12 hour 
advance notice.

DATES: This deviation is effective from without actual notice from 
October 5, 2018 to 7 a.m. on January 17, 2019. For purposes of 
enforcement, actual notice will be used from 6 a.m. on September 17, 
2018, to October 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0919 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: King County, WA, owns the South Park Bridge 
that spans across the Duwamish Waterway at mile 3.8, at Seattle, WA. 
King County requested a temporary deviation from the operating 
schedule, due to infrequent opening requests, while a rule change is 
being processed. This deviation will allow King County to operate 
without a drawtender during evening hours until an opening request has 
been received. The South Park Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 
117.1041(a)(2).
    This deviation authorizes the drawtender to open the South Park 
Bridge after receiving a 12 hour notice from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 
including all Federal holidays, starting at 6 a.m. on September 17, 
2018, through 7 a.m. on January 17, 2019. Vessels engaged in sea-trials 
or waterway dredging activities may request a standby drawtender to 
open the bridge, on demand, during sea-trials and/or dredging 
operations, if at least a 24 hour notice is given to the drawtender. 
The South Park Bridge provides a vertical clearance approximately 20 
feet above mean high water when in the closed-to-navigation position. 
Vessels operating on the Duwamish Waterway range from small 
recreational vessels, sailboats, tribal fishing boats, large yachts and 
commercial towing vessels.
    Vessels able to pass through the South Park Bridge in the closed-
to-navigation position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be 
able to open for emergencies from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. However, in the 
event of an emergency requiring a bridge opening between 11 p.m. and 7 
a.m., the Seattle Department of Transportation has agreed that the 
bridge operator at the Fremont Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship 
Canal will open the South Park Bridge within 45 minutes from initial 
notification. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway, 
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.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their 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: October 1, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-21674 Filed 10-4-18; 8:45 am]
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