[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24289]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0888]


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, at Seattle, WA. The Montlake Bridge is 
a double leaf bascule bridge. The deviation is necessary to allow the 
bridge to operate in single leaf mode during day light hours, and a 
full closure (both bascule leafs in the closed-to-navigation position) 
during night time hours while work crews replace bridge decking. This 
deviation allows a single leaf opening with a one hour advance notice 
during the day, and remains in the closed-to-navigation position at 
night.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on October 3, 2015 to 7 
a.m. on October 26, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0888] 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Washington Department of Transportation has 
requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the 
Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, at mile 5.2, at 
Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate work crews to 
conduct timely bridge deck repairs.
    The Montlake Bridge 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; 
vertical clearance references to the Mean Water Level of Lake 
Washington. When half the span is open, single leaf, 46 feet of 
vertical clearance will be reduced throughout the center to 30 feet of 
the bridge.
    To facilitate this event, the south half of the bridge span, or 
single leaf, will open with at least a one hour advance notice provided 
to the bridge operator from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., the 
Montlake Bridge span will remain in the closed-to-navigation position, 
or full closure.
    The normal operating schedule for the Montlake Bridge operates in 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(e) which requires the bridge to open on 
signal, except that the bridge need not open for vessels less than 
1,000 gross tons between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays from April 30 to 
September 1, and from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
from September 1 to April 30. The draw need open only on the hour and 
half hour from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
    The deviation period is from 7 a.m. on October 3, 2015 until 7 p.m. 
on October 3, 2015 (south single leaf opening if a one hour notice is 
given); from 7 p.m. on October 3, 2015 until 7 a.m. on October 4, 2015 
(remain in the closed-to-navigation position); from 7 a.m. on October 
4, 2015 until 7 p.m. on October 4, 2015 (south single leaf opening if a 
one hour notice is given); from 7 p.m. on October 4, 2015 until 7 a.m. 
on October 5, 2015 (remain in the closed-to-navigation position); from 
7 a.m. on October 24, 2015 until 7 p.m. on October 24, 2015 (south 
single leaf opening if a one hour notice is given); from 7 p.m. on 
October 24, 2015 until 7 a.m. on October 25, 2015 (remain in the 
closed-to-navigation position); from 7 a.m. on October 25, 2015 until 7 
p.m. on October 25, 2015 (south single leaf opening if a one hour 
notice is given); from 7 p.m. on October 25, 2015 until 7 a.m. on 
October 26, 2015 (remain in the closed-to-navigation position).
    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-to-navigation position may do so at 
anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergency vessels in route 
to a call when an hour notice is given to the bridge operator, and a 
single leaf opening will be provided. The Lake Washington Ship Canal 
has 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: September 18, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-24289 Filed 9-23-15; 8:45 am]
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