[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25590-25591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10411]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0362]


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 University Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 4.3, 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 8 a.m. on May 20, 2012 through 
9:30 a.m. May 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0362 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0362 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 University 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 University Bridge. University Bridge crosses the Lake Washington 
Ship Canal at mile 4.3 and while in the closed position provides 30 
feet of vertical clearance throughout the navigation channel and 45 
feet of vertical clearance through the center 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(d) which 
requires the bridge to open on signal, except that the bridge need not 
open for vessels less than 1,000 gross tons from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 
p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This deviation period is from 8 
a.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 through 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012. 
The deviation allows the bascule span of the University Bridge to 
remain in the closed position and need not open for maritime traffic 
from 8 a.m. through 9:30 a.m. on May 20, 2012. The bridge shall operate 
in accordance to 33 CFR 117.1051(d) 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.


[[Page 25591]]


    Dated: April 19, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-10411 Filed 4-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P