[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 228 (Monday, November 28, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30513]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1068]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; City Waterway Also Known as Thea 
Foss Waterway, Tacoma, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 regulation governing the operation of the 
South 11th Street (``Murray Morgan'') Bridge across City Waterway also 
known as the Thea Foss Waterway, mile 0.6, at Tacoma, WA. The deviation 
is necessary to perform extensive maintenance and repair work on the 
bridge, including but not limited to removal and replacement of the 
roadway surface and the underlying steel stringer substructure as part 
a major bridge rehabilitation project. This deviation allows the bridge 
to remain in the closed position during construction activities.This 
deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on November 14, 2011 through 6 p.m. 
April 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1068 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1068 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 email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone (206) 220-7282 email [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 City of Tacoma has requested to place 
the South 11th Street ``Murray Morgan'' Bridge in the closed or down 
position and to not open the bridge for vessel traffic to facilitate a 
major rehabilitation project on the bridge. The South 11th Street 
Bridge crosses City Waterway mile 0.6 at Tacoma, WA. The South 11th 
Street Bridge is also known as the Murray Morgan Bridge and City 
Waterway is also known as Thea Foss Waterway. The South 11th Street 
Bridge is a vertical lift bridge. During this deviation the bridge will 
be placed in the close or down position. There will be a debris 
containment system attached to the underside of the bridge for the 
duration of construction activities. A minimum vertical clearance of 57 
feet above mean high water will be provided beneath the bridge and the 
attached debris containment system, at all time during the deviation 
period. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to 
transit beneath the bridge during this closure period. Under normal 
operations the bridge operates under 33 CFR 117.1061 which requires a 
two hour notice for an opening and allows the bridge to not open during 
morning and afternoon rush hours. This current deviation states the 
lift span of the 11th Street South Bridge (Murray Morgan Bridge) across 
City Waterway (Thea Foss Waterway), mile 0.6, need not open from 8 a.m. 
November 14, 2011 through 6 p.m. April 30, 2012; except as otherwise 
outlined in this article and through ongoing coordination with waterway 
users. The bridge will be able to open during this maintenance period 
for emergent situations provided 12 hours of advance notification of an 
opening is given. The bridge will be placed in the open position: 
November 24-27, 2011; December 24, 2011 through January 1, 2012, and 
either April 14-15, 2012 or April 21-22, 2012, to be coordinated with 
the local waterway users. The bridge will also be opened during an 
additional weekend in January, February, and March to be determined in 
coordination with local waterway users.
    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: November 14, 2011.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-30513 Filed 11-25-11; 8:45 am]
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