[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18372]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2014-0670]


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 Montlake Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, in Seattle, WA. The deviation is 
necessary to accommodate vehicular traffic attending football games at 
Husky Stadium at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 
This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position two 
hours before and two hours after each game. Please note that the game 
times for five of the seven games scheduled for Husky Stadium have not 
yet been determined due to NCAA television scheduling.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. on September 6, 2014 
through November 22, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0670] 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 Steven M. Fischer, Bridge 
Specialist, Thirteenth District, Coast Guard; telephone 206-220-7277, 
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 Washington State Department of 
Transportation, on behalf of the University of Washington Police 
Department, has requested that the Montlake Bridge bascule span remain 
closed and need not open to vessel traffic to facilitate timely 
movement of pre-game and post-game football traffic. The Montlake 
Bridge crosses the Lake Washington Ship Canal at mile 5.2 and while in 
the closed position provides 30 feet of vertical clearance throughout 
the navigation channel and 46 feet of vertical clearance throughout the 
center 60-feet of the bridge. These vertical clearance measurements are 
made in reference to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. Vessels 
which do not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath 
the bridges during this closure period. Under normal conditions this 
bridge opens on signal, subject to the list of exceptions provided in 
33 CFR 117.1051(e).
    This deviation period will cover the dates September 6, 2014 to 
November 22, 2014 as follows. From 10 a.m. to Noon, and from 3 p.m. to 
5 p.m. on September 6, 2014; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 
6 p.m. on September 13, 2014. The times for the closures on September 
20, 2014, September 27, 2014, October 25, 2014, November 8, 2014, and 
November 22, 2014 will be determined and announced in the Coast Guard's 
Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as they 
become available. Due to NCAA television scheduling, the times for the 
games are not currently available.
    The deviation allows the bascule span of the Montlake Bridge to 
remain in the closed position and need not open for maritime traffic 
from 10 a.m. to Noon, and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 6, 2014, and 
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 13, 2014, for 
times to be determined on September 20, 2014, September 27, 2014, 
October 25, 2014, November 8, 2014, and November 22, 2014. The bridge 
shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR Sec.  117.1051(e) at all other 
times. 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 any time. The bridge will 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 drawbridges 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: July 24, 2014.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-18372 Filed 8-4-14; 8:45 am]
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