[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77252-77253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31388]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-1066]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hoquiam River, Hoquiam, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Simpson Avenue Bridge across the 
Hoquiam River, mile 0.5, at Hoquiam, WA. The deviation is necessary to 
accommodate Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) 
extensive maintenance and restoration efforts on this bridge. This 
deviation allows WSDOT to open one leaf of the double leaf bascule 
bridge when at least two hours of notice is given. The vertical 
clearance will be reduced to approximately 25 feet at mean high tide, 
and the horizontal clearance will be reduced to 52 feet.

[[Page 77253]]


DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on December 11, 2015 to 
11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-1066] 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email the Bridge Administrator, Coast 
Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7282 email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: WSDOT has requested a temporary deviation 
from the operating schedule for the Simpson Avenue Bridge crossing the 
Hoquiam River, mile 0.5, at Hoquiam, WA. WSDOT requested to only open 
one leaf of the double leaf bascule bridge when at least two hours of 
notice is given. WSDOT also requested to reduce the vertical clearance 
from 35 feet to approximately 25 feet at mean high tide, and reduce the 
horizontal navigation clearance from 125 feet to 52 feet while 
operating single leaf.
    The normal operating schedule for the Simpson Avenue Bridge 
operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1047, which states the bridge 
shall open on signal if at least one hour notice is given. Simpson 
Avenue Bridge is a double leaf bascule bridge and provides 35 feet of 
vertical clearance above mean high water elevation while in the closed-
to-navigation position.
    This deviation allows the Simpson Avenue Bridge at mile 0.5 
crossing the Hoquiam River, to operate in single leaf, half of the 
span, to maritime traffic from 6 a.m. on December 11, 2015 to 11:59 
p.m. on December 31, 2015. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 
CFR 117.1047 at all other times.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at anytime. Scaffolding will be erected below the 
bridge for personnel to work from reducing the vertical clearance to 
approximately 25 feet while the bridge is in the closed-to-navigation 
position. The bridge will not be able to open for vessels engaged in 
emergency response operations during this closure period without a two 
hour notice.
    Waterway usage on this part of the Hoquiam River ranges from tug 
and barge to small pleasure craft. WSDOT has examined bridge opening 
logs, and contacted all waterway users that have requested bridge 
openings throughout the last year. The input WSDOT received from 
waterway users indicated that this deviation will have no impact on the 
known users. No immediate alternate route for vessels to pass is 
available on this part of the river. 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 
their regular operating schedule 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: December 8, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-31388 Filed 12-11-15; 8:45 am]
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