[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55214-55215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21940]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0807]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
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 the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) 
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. This deviation allows the bridge to remain 
in the down, or closed position, during the maintenance period.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 a.m. on November 5, 2013 to 
11:59 p.m. on November 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-0807] 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 Program Office, Coast Guard; telephone 
(206)220-7277, [email protected]. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, 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 on 4 separate days during a 
9 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 9 a.m. on November 5, 2013 to 11:59 p.m. on 
November 14, 2013. 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 
9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on November 5, 2013, and 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on 
November 7, 2013, and 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on November 12, 2013, and 9 
a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on

[[Page 55215]]

November 14, 2013. These time frames were 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.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may 
do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies 
and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The 
Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating 
schedule for the bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to 
minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: August 27, 2013.
Daryl R. Peloquin,
Thirteenth Coast Guard District, Acting Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-21940 Filed 9-9-13; 8:45 am]
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