[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25079-25080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10186]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0280]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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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. This deviation is 
necessary to accommodate the Beat the Bridge charity foot race 
scheduled for Sunday, May 20, 2012. This deviation allows the bridge 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 20, 2012 
through 9 a.m. May 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0280 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0280 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 Washington State Department of 
Transportation has requested that the Montlake Bridge remain closed to 
vessel traffic to facilitate safe passage of participants of the Beat 
the Bridge charity event. Beat the Bridge is an annual foot race held 
in Seattle, WA to benefit diabetes research. The race course passes 
over the Montlake Bridge. The Montlake Bridge crosses the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal at mile 5.2 and while in the closed position 
provides 30

[[Page 25080]]

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 bridge during this closure period. Under normal 
conditions this bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(e) 
which requires the bridge to open on signal, except that the bridge 
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. Monday through Friday. This 
deviation period is from 7:30 a.m. on May 20, 2012 through 9 a.m. on 
Sunday, May 20, 2012. The deviation allows the bascule span of the 
Montlake Bridge to remain in the closed position and need not open for 
maritime traffic from 7:30 a.m. through 9 a.m. on May 20, 2012. The 
bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.1051(e) 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 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: March 30, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-10186 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P