Document ID: USCG-2013-0292-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA (Federal Regisster Publication)
Posted Date: 2013-05-06T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26249-26250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10455]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0292]

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 safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m. on May 19, 2013 to 
9:30 a.m. on May 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0292] 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 Randall Overton, Bridge 
Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email Randall.D.Overton@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Barbara Hairston, 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. Vessels which do 
not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the 
bridges during this closure period. 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 19, 2013 to 9:30 
a.m. on May 19, 2013. The deviation allows the bascule spans of

[[Page 26250]]

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 
19, 2013 to 9:30 a.m. on May 19, 2013. The bridge shall operate in 
accordance to 33 CFR 117.1051 at all other times. Waterway usage on the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal ranges 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 draw 
span will be required to open, if needed, for vessels engaged in 
emergency response operations during this closure period.
    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: April 22, 2013.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-10455 Filed 5-3-13; 8:45 am]
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