[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39591-39592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15805]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0525]


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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs three Seattle Department of 
Transportation (SDOT) bridges: The Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the 
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all 
crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate heavier than normal roadway traffic 
associated with a fireworks display over Lake Union. This deviation 
allows the bridges to remain in the closed position immediately prior 
to until immediately after the fireworks display.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2013 to 1 
a.m. on July 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0525] is available 
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Lieutenant Commander Steven Fischer, 
Thirteenth District Bridge Specialist, Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-
7277, email [email protected]. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SDOT has requested a temporary deviation 
from the operating schedule for the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the 
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all 
crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The requested 
deviation is to accommodate heavier than normal roadway traffic 
associated with the 4th of July fireworks display over Lake Union, 
Seattle, WA. To facilitate this event, the draws of the bridges will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation positions as follows: the 
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, need not open for vessel traffic from 9 p.m. 
July 4, 2013 until 12:30 a.m. July 5, 2013; the Ballard Bridge, mile 
1.1, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, need not open for vessel 
traffic from 10 p.m. July 4, 2013 until 1 a.m. July 5, 2013. Vessels 
which do not require bridge openings may continue to transit beneath 
these bridges during the closure periods. The Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, 
provides a vertical clearance of 29 feet in the closed position, the 
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, provides a vertical clearance of 14 feet in 
the closed position, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, provides a 
vertical clearance of 30 feet in the closed position; all clearances 
are referenced to the mean water elevation of Lake Washington. The 
current operating schedule for all three bridges is set out in 33 CFR 
117.1051. The normal operating schedule for all three bridges state 
that the bridges need not

[[Page 39592]]

open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through 
Friday for vessels less than 1000 tons. The normal operating schedule 
for these bridges also requires one hour advance notification for 
bridge openings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. 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 bridges' operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. The 
bridges 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: June 19, 2013.
Daryl R. Peloquin,
Acting Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-15805 Filed 7-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P