[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13417]



[[Page 31467]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0459]


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 three Seattle Department of 
Transportation 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-to-navigation position prior to and immediately 
after the fireworks display.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 1 
a.m. on July 05, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0459] 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: Seattle Department of Transportation (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. The deviation period is from 9 
p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 1 a.m. on July 05, 2015. 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. on July 4, 2015 to 12:30 a.m. on 
July 5, 2015; the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, and the University Bridge, 
mile 4.3, need not open for vessel traffic from 10 p.m. on July 4, 2015 
to 1 a.m. July 5, 2015.
    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 normal operating schedule for all 
three bridges is in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051 stating; all three 
bridges 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 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.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed positions may 
do so at anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergency vessel 
responding to 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: May 28, 2015
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-13417 Filed 6-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P