[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15124]



[[Page 36400]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0498]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Duwamish Waterway, Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the South Park Highway Bridge across 
the Duwamish Waterway, mile 3.8, at Seattle, Washington. The deviation 
is necessary to accommodate the Grand Opening event of the South Park 
Highway Bridge. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the 
closed position and need not open to marine traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 3:30 p.m. on June 29, 2014 to 
10 p.m. on June 29, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0498] 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 Mr. Steven M. Fischer, Thirteenth 
District Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-7282, 
email: [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South Park Highway double bascule span 
drawbridge replacement project has progressed to the point of 
completion. The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 
requested a change to the current deviation schedule under which the 
bridge operates to hold a grand opening celebration scheduled for June 
29, 2014. This new temporary deviation will allow the bridge to remain 
in the closed position and need not open to marine traffic from 3:30 
p.m. on June 29, 2014 to 10 p.m. on June 29, 2014 to accommodate the 
event. The event will be attended by the public, plus local and 
national dignitaries, as SDOT dedicates the new bridge and reopens a 
historic and critical transportation link. Festivities will include a 
parade across the bridge and a street party featuring music and other 
performances, as well as food and drink vendors. Participants will be 
able to walk across the bridge and tour its south tower. Currently the 
bridge operates under a temporary deviation (USCG-2014-0237, 79 FR 
21128, April 15, 2014) from 12:01 a.m. on March 30, 2014 to 11:59 p.m. 
on September 1, 2014 to enable timely completion of the bridge 
construction project. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain 
closed to mariners needing a full channel, double bascule leaf 
drawbridge opening unless 12 hours advance notice is provided. Mariners 
that only require a single leaf half channel drawbridge opening will be 
given an opening upon signal. A draw tender will be present 24 hours a 
day, 7 days week.
    The South Park Highway Double Bascule Bridge is located at Duwamish 
Waterway, mile 3.8, in the city of Seattle, Washington, and provides 
34.8 feet of vertical clearance above at center span while in the 
closed position and 30 feet of vertical clearance at the extreme east 
and west ends of the navigable channel and unlimited vertical clearance 
with the bascule bridge in the fully open position. Vertical clearances 
are referenced to mean high-water elevation (MHW). Horizontal clearance 
is 128 feet. However, horizontal clearance may be restricted by 
construction barges. As such, mariners are advised to consult the Local 
Notice to Mariners for current conditions.
    Maritime traffic on this stretch of the Duwamish waterway consists 
of vessels ranging from small pleasure craft, sailboats, small tribal 
fishing boats, and commercial tug and tow, and mega yachts. Vessels 
able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may do so at 
anytime but are advised to use caution as the area surrounding the 
bridge has numerous construction craft and equipment in the water. 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.
    The drawbridge must return to the current deviation operating 
schedule (79 FR 21128, April 15, 2014) 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: June 12, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-15124 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P