Document ID: USCG-2014-0603-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA (Federal Register Publication) (Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.)
Posted Date: 2014-07-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43938-43939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17856]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0603]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
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 University Bridge, mile 4.3, across 
Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary 
to allow King County Metro Transit to perform essential maintenance on 
the University Bridge. This deviation allows one half (leaf) of the 
bridge to remain in the closed position and need not open to marine 
traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 11 p.m. on August 1, 2014, to 6 
a.m. on August 2, 2014, and from 11 p.m. on August 15, 2014, to 6 a.m. 
on August 16, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0603] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 Steven.M.Fischer3@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Seattle Department of Transportation has 
requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the 
University Bridge, mile 4.3, across the Lake Washington Ship Canal at 
Seattle, WA. The requested deviation is to allow Seattle Department of 
Transportation to perform essential maintenance on the University 
Bridge. The planned maintenance includes routine cleaning and 
inspecting of the gear reducers. To facilitate this maintenance period, 
one side of the draws of the bridge will be maintained in the closed-
to-navigation position from 11 p.m. on August 1, 2014 to 6 a.m. on 
August 2, 2014, and again from 11 p.m. on August 15, 2014 to 6 a.m. on 
August 16, 2014. Vessels that do not require bridge openings may 
continue to transit beneath the bridge during the closure periods. The 
bridge will not be able to open for emergencies.
    The University Bridge, mile 4.3, provides a vertical clearance of 
30 feet in the closed position; clearances are referenced to the mean 
water elevation of Lake Washington. The current operating schedule for 
the bridge is set out in 33 CFR 117.1051. The normal operating schedule 
for the University Bridge states that the bridge need not open from 7 
a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for 
vessels less than 1000 tons. The normal operating schedule for the 
bridge also requires one hour advance

[[Page 43939]]

notification for bridge openings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. 
Waterway usage on the Lake Washington Ship Canal ranges 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 
not 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 vessels 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: July 10, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-17856 Filed 7-28-14; 8:45 am]
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