[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16774-16775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07956]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2018-0299]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hood Canal, Port Gamble, 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 Washington State pontoon highway
bridge (Hood Canal Bridge) across Hood Canal, mile 5.0, near Port
Gamble, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate replacement of
the draw span operating equipment. This deviation allows the bridge to
open the draw half-way, 300 feet, after receiving at least a four hour
notice.
[[Page 16775]]
DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2018, to
11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2018.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0299 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 Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Washington Department of Transportation
(WSDOT), the bridge owner, has requested a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule of the Hood Canal Bridge. The request is for the
subject bridge to be allowed to open half of the draw span to
facilitate safe and uninterrupted draw span equipment replacement. The
Hood Canal Bridge crosses Hood Canal, mile 5.0, near Port Gamble, WA.
The bridge has two fixed spans (east and west), and one draw span
(center). The east span provides 50 feet of vertical clearance, the
west span provides 35 feet of vertical clearance, and the center span
provides zero feet of vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation
position. The center span provides unlimited vertical clearance in the
open-to-navigation position. Vertical clearances are referenced to mean
high-water elevation.
This deviation allows the center span of the Hood Canal Bridge to
open half-way (300 feet vice 600 feet) on signal after receiving at
least a four hour notice from 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2018, to 11:59 p.m.
on September 30, 2018. During the period of this deviation, the
drawbridge will not be able to operate according to the normal
operating schedule. The normal operating schedule for the Hood Canal
Bridge is in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1045. The bridge shall operate
in accordance to 33 CFR 117.1045 at all other times. Waterway usage on
this part of Hood Canal (Admiralty Inlet) includes commercial tugs and
barges, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and small pleasure
craft. Coordination has been completed with known waterway users, and a
no objections to the deviation have been received.
Vessels able to pass through the east and west spans may do so at
any time. The center span does not provide passage in the closed-to-
navigation position. The subject bridge will be able to open half the
center span for Navy and Coast Guard vessels during emergencies, when
at least a one hour notice has been given by the Department of the Navy
or U.S. Coast Guard. 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 this 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 effective
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: April 10, 2018.
Steven Fischer,
Chief, Bridge Program, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-07956 Filed 4-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P