[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22796]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0857]


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 Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railway Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 0.1, at 
Seattle, WA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate heavy 
maintenance on the bridge including replacing operating strut guides on 
the bascule span. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the 
down or closed position during the maintenance period.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. November 7, 2012 through 
5 p.m. November 18, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0857 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0857 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: BNSF Railway has requested that the draw of 
the BNSF Railway Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 0.1 
(Ballard-Salmon Bay), be locked in the closed position and not be 
required to open for the passage of vessels for a 12 day period to 
facilitate heavy maintenance on the bridge. The bridge provides 43 feet 
of vertical clearance above mean high water while in the closed 
position. Under normal operations this bridge opens on signal as 
required by 33 CFR 117.5 and 33 CFR 117.1051(c). The deviation period 
is from 7 a.m. November 7, 2012 through 5 p.m. November 18, 2012. This 
deviation allows the draw span of the BNSF Railway Bridge across the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 0.1, to remain in the closed position 
and to not open for maritime traffic from 7 a.m. November 7, 2012 
through 5 p.m. November 18, 2012. This time frame was selected because 
it corresponds with the closure of the Army Corps of Engineering Hiram 
M. Chittenden lock immediately upstream or inland of the bridge on the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal. This stretch of the Lake Washington Ship 
Canal experiences heavy waterway usage and is utilized by vessels 
ranging from commercial tug and barge to pleasure craft. Mariners have 
been notified and will be kept informed of the bridge's operational 
status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners publication and Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners as appropriate. Vessels which do not require a 
bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the bridge during this 
closure period. Due to the nature of work being performed the draw span 
will be unable to open for maritime traffic during this maintenance 
period.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to 
their 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: August 5, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-22796 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
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