[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26976]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-1053]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs 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 re-routed roadway traffic while the Alaskan 
Way Viaduct is closed. This deviation allows the subject bridges to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow congested roadway 
traffic to move easier.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 11, 2019, to 
7 p.m. on February 9, 2019.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-1053 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: Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), 
the owner of the impacted drawbridges, 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, to facilitate 
morning and afternoon re-routed roadway traffic. Washington Department 
of Transportation is closing the Alaskan Way Viaduct forever, and have 
not finished building new ramp approaches to the new SR99 Tunnel into 
Seattle, WA. During the closure of the viaduct, SDOT will be re-routing 
roadway traffic into Seattle across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and 
requested to extend the closure hours of the subject bridges. The 
Ballard Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 29 feet in the closed-
to-navigation position; the Fremont Bridge provides a vertical 
clearance of 14 feet (31 feet of vertical clearance for the center 36 
horizontal feet) in the closed-to-navigation position; the University 
Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet (45 feet at the center) 
in the closed-to-navigation position. Vertical clearances refer to the 
Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. The normal operating schedule for 
the three subject bridges is in 33 CFR 117.1051(d).
    During this deviation period, the three subject bridge draws need 
not open per the following table for vessels of less than 1000 gross 
tons, unless the vessel has in tow a vessel of 1000 gross tones or 
more:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Bridge                           Date                      Time                Span  position
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fremont..............................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    7 a.m. to 10 a.m........  Closed.
                                        2019.
Fremont..............................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m......  Closed.
                                        2019.
Ballard..............................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    7 a.m. to 10 a.m........  Closed.
                                        2019.
Ballard..............................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m......  Closed.
                                        2019.
University...........................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    7 a.m. to 10 a.m........  Closed.
                                        2019.
University...........................  Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9,    3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m......  Closed.
                                        2019.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Waterway usage on the Lake Washington Ship Canal range from 
commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. Vessels able to pass 
through the subject bridges in the closed-to-navigation position may do 
so at any time. All three bridges will not 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 bridges so that vessel operators can arrange 
their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the three drawbridges must 
return to their regular operating schedules 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 3, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Chief Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-26976 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P