[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD13-02-003]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operations Regulations; Lake Washington Ship Canal, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Montlake Drawbridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at 
Seattle, Washington. During the deviation period, vessel operators must 
give five hours notice when requesting that both leaves of the bascule 
span be opened during the day from March 15 to May 14, 2002. Single 
leaf openings will be available as provided by the current operating 
regulations. This deviation is necessary to facilitate painting the 
bridge.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on March 15 to 
6 p.m. on May 14, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise noted, documents referred to in this notice 
are available for inspection and copying at Commander (oan), Thirteenth 
Coast Guard District, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98174-
1067, room 3510 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays. The Bridge Section of the Aids to Navigation 
and Waterways Management Branch maintain the docket for this temporary 
deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Austin Pratt, Chief, Bridge Section, 
Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch, Telephone (206) 
220-7282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Montlake Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, Washington, provides 48 
feet of vertical clearance above mean regulated lake level of Lake 
Washington for the central 100 feet of the bascule span. Navigation on 
the waterway includes tugs, gravel barges, construction barges, 
sailboats, motor yachts, and government vessels. The majority of the 
vessels can safely pass under the drawbridge in its closed position or 
through a single-leaf opening. Single-leaf openings are not affected by 
this temporary deviation and will be provided according to the normal 
operating regulations. A containment system, which encloses a portion 
of the bridge during sandblasting and painting, impedes prompt double-
leaf openings of the draw. The five-hour notice is necessary to enable 
the contractor to derig and remove equipment and personnel from the 
draw before opening. This temporary deviation allows the Montlake 
Bridge to operate only one leaf on signal, per the existing regulations 
at 33 CFR 117.1051, unless five hours notice is provided for double-
leaf openings between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. March 15 to May 
14, 2002, May 4 excepted. May 4th has been excepted from this temporary 
deviation to accommodate the Opening Day of Boating Season.

    Dated: April 12, 2002.
R. W. Wicklund,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 
Acting.
[FR Doc. 02-10178 Filed 4-24-02; 8:45 am]
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