[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26536]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0880]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Duwamish West Waterway, Seattle, 
WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Spokane Street Swing Bridge across the Duwamish West Waterway, mile 
0.3, at Seattle, WA. This deviation mitigates the displacement of 
approximately 110,000 vehicles that may be affected by the Alaska Way 
Viaduct Tunnel construction, a major infrastructure improvement 
project. This temporary deviation benefits public health and safety by 
permitting more vehicle access across the bridge during peak hours. 
This deviation allows the bridge to remain closed to waterway traffic 
during weekday afternoon peak traffic times for a five day period.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 3 p.m. October 24, 2011 through 
6 p.m. on October 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0880 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0880 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available 
for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), 
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 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 rule, 
call or e-mail the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone 206-220-7282; e-mail [email protected]. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Seattle Department of Transportation has 
requested that the Spokane Street Swing Bridge not open for waterway 
traffic, with the exception of deep draft vessels, during afternoon 
peak traffic hours for a five day period. The Spokane Street Swing 
Bridge crosses the Duwamish West Waterway at mile 0.3. Extremely heavy 
roadway traffic is anticipated on the low-level Spokane Street Swing 
Bridge during scheduled major transportation infrastructure 
improvements. During this construction activity traffic will be 
diverted to the low-level Spokane Street Swing Bridge from adjoining 
roadways. In the closed position, the Spokane Street Swing Bridge 
provides approximately 44 feet of vertical clearance. Waterborne 
traffic on this stretch of the Duwamish waterway consists of vessels 
ranging from small pleasure craft to commercial tug and tow. During the 
entire month of October last year between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. the Spokane 
Street Swing Bridge opened a total of ten times; four of the openings 
for sailboats and six of the openings for commercial waterway traffic. 
Under normal operation the bridge opens on signal as required by 33 CFR 
117.5. The deviation period is from 3 p.m. October 24 through 6 p.m. 
October 28, 2011. From October 24, 2011 through and including October 
28, 2011, the Spokane Street Swing Bridge across the Duwamish West 
Waterway, mile 0.3, need not open for waterway traffic from 3 p.m. 
through 6 p.m. daily. Vessels that do not require a bridge opening will 
be allowed to pass under the bridge during the closure period. During 
this authorized closure period the bridge will be required to open for 
deep draft vessels provided 72 hours advance notification is given. 
Also during this deviation the bridge will be required to open for 
federal, state, and local government vessels used for public safety and 
for vessels in distress where a delay would endanger life or property.
    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: September 30, 2011.
K.A. Taylor,
Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard, Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2011-26536 Filed 10-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P