Document ID: USCG-2014-0336-0001
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: 2014-05-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28431-28432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11407]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0336]

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 Montlake Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA, and the University 
Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 4.3, at Seattle, WA. 
This deviation is necessary to accommodate the ``Beat the Bridge'' foot 
race. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed 
position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m. on May 18, 2014 to 
9:30 a.m. on May 18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0336] 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.

[[Page 28432]]

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 Washington State Department of 
Transportation and Seattle Department of Transportation have requested 
that the Montlake Bridge and the University Bridges remain closed to 
vessel traffic to facilitate safe passage of participants in the ``Beat 
the Bridge'' foot race. The race course passes over the University and 
Montlake Bridges. The University Bridge crosses the Lake Washington 
Ship Canal at mile 4.3 and while in the closed position provides 30 
feet of vertical clearance throughout the navigation channel and 45 
feet of vertical clearance through the center of the bridge; vertical 
clearance referenced to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. The 
Montlake Bridge crosses the Lake Washington Ship Canal at mile 5.2 and 
while in the closed position provides 30 feet of vertical clearance 
throughout the navigation channel and 46 feet of vertical clearance 
throughout the center 60-feet of the bridge; vertical clearance 
referenced to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington.
    Under normal conditions the Montlake Bridge operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.1051(e) and the University Bridge operates in 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(d) which require the bridges to open on 
signal, except that the bridges need not open for vessels less than 
1,000 gross tons between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 
for the Montlake Bridge and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for 
the University Bridge Monday through Friday. This deviation period is 
from 7:30 a.m. on May 18, 2014 to 9:30 a.m. on May 18, 2014. The 
deviation allows the bascule spans of the Montlake Bridge and 
University Bridge to remain in the closed position and need not open 
for maritime traffic from 7:30 a.m. on May 18, 2014 to 9:30 a.m. on May 
18, 2014. 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 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 Notice 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 drawbridges 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 5, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-11407 Filed 5-15-14; 8:45 am]
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