[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16159]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0525]


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 University Bridge, mile 4.3, across 
Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary 
to allow King County Metro Transit to perform essential maintenance on 
the University Bridge. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in 
the closed position and need not open to marine traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 p.m. on July 11, 2014 to 8 
a.m. on July 20, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0525] 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 Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge 
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; 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 Seattle Department of Transportation has 
requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the 
University Bridge, mile 4.3, across the Lake Washington Ship Canal at 
Seattle, WA. The requested deviation is to allow King County Metro 
Transit to perform essential maintenance on the University Bridge. The 
plan is to re-cable all the metro trolley lines on the bridge. To 
facilitate this maintenance period, the draws of the bridge will be 
maintained in the closed-to-navigation position on July 11th, 12th, and 
13th, 2014 from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning, then again on 
the 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2014 from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following 
morning. Vessels which do not require bridge openings may continue to 
transit beneath the bridge during the closure periods. The University 
Bridge, mile 4.3, provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet in the 
closed position; clearances are referenced to the mean water elevation 
of Lake Washington. The current operating schedule for the bridge is 
set out in 33 CFR 117.1051. The normal operating schedule for the 
University Bridge states that the bridge need not 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 the bridge 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. 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 designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: June 25, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-16159 Filed 7-10-14; 8:45 am]
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