Document ID: USCG-2017-0456-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA
Posted Date: 2017-06-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 109 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11901]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0456]

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 Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the 
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all 
crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the 4th of July fireworks event. This 
deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position to allow for the safe movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2017, to 1 
a.m. on July 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0456] 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 d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Seattle Department of Transportation, the 
owner of the impacted drawbridges, requested a temporary deviation from 
the operating schedule for the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the Fremont 
Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all crossing the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA, to facilitate safe passage 
of participants in the 4th of July fireworks event. The Ballard Bridge 
provides a vertical clearance of 29 feet in the closed-to-navigation 
position; the University Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 30 
feet in the closed-to-navigation position; the Fremont Bridge provides 
a vertical clearance of 14 feet (31 feet of vertical clearance for the 
center 36 horizontal feet) in the closed-to-navigation position. 
Vertical clearances are referenced to the Mean Water Level of Lake 
Washington. The normal operating schedule for the three subject bridges 
is in 33 CFR 117.1051. During this deviation period, the Ballard Bridge 
and University Bridge need not open to marine vessels from 10 p.m. on 
July 4, 2017, to 1:00 a.m. on July 5, 2017, and the Fremont Bridge need 
not open to marine vessels from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2017, to 00:30 a.m. 
on July 5, 2017.
    Waterway usage on Lake Washington Ship Canal ranges from commercial 
tug and barge to small pleasure craft. The Coast Guard conducted 
outreach to known users of this waterway for feedback on the deviation 
and received no objections. Vessels able to pass through the bridges in 
the closed-to-navigation position may do so at anytime. Both bridges 
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 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 drawbridge must return to 
its 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: June 2, 2017.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-11901 Filed 6-7-17; 8:45 am]
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